Irish Boxer Katie Taylor Wins Gold At European Championships

Katie Taylor claimed her fifth European lightweight title on-the-trot with a composed victory over Sofya Ochigava at the 8th European Women’s Championships in Rotterdam this evening.

The Irish three-time World champion was rarely troubled before being handed a 10-5 decision over the Russian two-time World champion after four, two minutes rounds of tonight’s 60Kg final.

Tonight’s verdict was a case of high fives all round for Taylor – who had the entire Irish squad singing her down to victory this evening – as the win was her fifth in six days at the Championships.

The 10-5 decision was also sweet revenge for Taylor as she was somehow adjudged to have been “beaten” 8-1 by Ochigava at the Usti na Labem Grand Prix in the Czech Republic in March 2010.

“Sofya is one of the best opponents I have ever met and I’m absolutely thrilled with the win. I can’t believe it really. I would like to thank my dad and coaches and the entire Irish squad for all their fantastic support all week, ” said Taylor.

Tonight’s win is also the third gold medal that Ireland has won at European Senior Championships level this year as Joe Ward and Ray Moylette won double gold at the European Men’s Championships in Turkey in June.

“Katie is boxing at another level than what she was at last year and she was absolutely exceptional. The entire squad are on a high after this win and we’re absolutely thrilled, ” said Irish team manager Anna Moore.

Taylor, who led 1-0 after the first against her Russian opponent courtesy of a flashing right early in the frame, resisted the temptation to engage with Ochigava, who was “extending invitations” to mix it, and stretched her lead to 4-1 by the end of the second.

The third frame was another cagey affair. However, Taylor, once again showing remarkable composure, patiently build on her advantage en route to a unprecedented haul of European gold medals for an Irish athlete.

The Bray woman, who was boxing out of the blue corner tonight, has now won three World, five European and four European Union titles – all in-a-row.