Aoife O’Rourke has won a gold medal in the women’s 75kg category at the European Elite Boxing Championships in Bulgaria.<\/p>\n
The Castlerea boxer got the unanimous 5-0 verdict against Turkey’s Busra Isildar to successfully defend her crown and follow her sister, Lisa, who also won gold in the 80kg division on Thursday.<\/p>\n
After a somewhat messy start to the bout, Aoife gradually found her range, the left jab causing Isildar. a multiple World and European medallist, to back track.<\/p>\n
The judges took note, scoring the bout 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 30:26; 29:28.<\/p>\n
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Today’s success in Sofia is Aoife’s fourth at European level, adding to her 2023 European Games gold.<\/p>\n
The elder of the O’Rourke sibling’s journey to another gold has included wins over 80+kg world champion, Poland’s Agata Kaczmarska and Russia\u2019s 2025 world champ Saltanat Medenova.<\/p>\n
She was emotional when she spoke to RT\u00c9 Sport afterwards, saying: “I don’t know what to think right now, I’m am so, so happy. I’m overwhelmed with joy, so delighted.<\/p>\n
On the fight itself, it was a case of getting the business done against a familiar opponent.<\/p>\n
“Myself and herself have had many a battle and spars together in training,” she added.<\/p>\n
“She’s a tough opponent, I thought she was going to change up her gameplan because you are not going to do the same thing against a previous opponent. She definitely did come forward a bit more than the last time we boxed. I had to deal with that pressure bit the coach had the tactics spot on and I tried to implement it as best I could, though it wasn’t perfect.. but it was OK.”<\/p>\n
Despite being dominant throughout, O’Rourke revealed that it wasn’t “until the final bell” that she could register the fact the verdict would go her way.<\/p>\n
“That third round, I wasn’t giving up. The coaches told me I was round up but I would always question them. Are you sure? Did you read it right?<\/p>\n
Aoife O’Rourke is back-to-back European 75kg Champion.
The Castlerea boxer has taken all three rounds in the final bout against Turkey’s Busra Isildar. pic.twitter.com\/f6WXmYlkyC<\/a><\/p>\n