Lisa O’Rourke has won a gold medal in the women’s 80kg category at the European Elite Boxing Championships in Bulgaria.
The Roscommon fighter defeated Anastasiia Demurchian of Russia, coming out on top by split decision of 4-1..
It was scored 29:28; 30:27; 30:27; 28:29; 30:26.
“I’m delighted with myself. It’s been a great tournament for me. First one back in a year and I can’t complain with the way it went for me. It’s been a long journey since I had my injury, getting through it all. So to get over the line today it just shows that all the hard work paid off,” she told RTÉ Sport after the fight.
“Look when the coaches through it at me I said: ‘Why not? What have I got to lose?’ It’s always an honour to represent Ireland. It’s a huge honour.
“They are always going to be tough whoever you have in the final. Otherwise they wouldn’t be there. I knew I had a tough job at hand and thankfully it went my way.”
O’Rourke landed a superb shot early in the second round in what was the highlight of the contest.
The 24-year-old was already a gold and silver medal winner at world level, adding European honours today.
O’Rourke beat England’s Emily Asquith and Ukraine’s Iryna Lutsak on the way to the final.
Her sister Aoife will also box for gold on Friday.
🥊🥇GOLD for Lisa O’Rourke. The Roscommon fighter defeats Russia’s Anastasiia Demurchian in the women’s 80kg category at the European Elite Boxing Championships in Bulgaria
📺You can watch all Ring A fights live on @rteplayer #TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/dpd7iWw08M
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 24, 2026
Michaela Walsh secured bronze at the European Elite Boxing Championships in Bulgaria after a split-decision defeat in her 57kg semi-final on Thursday.
The 33-year-old Belfast native was the underdog coming up against World Boxing Cup Brazil silver medallist Kukhta Vlagyszlava of Hungary, and while one of the judges sided with the Irish fighter, the other four went the way of her opponent who now advances to the final.
It was a composed opening round from Walsh, who eased herself into the contest while wary of her opponent’s right jab with Vlagyszlava dictating terms.
The judges scored it 3-2 in the Hungarian’s favour, but the foundation of her victory was laid in the second round. She upped the gears with Walsh unable to land many scoring punches, all five scorecards going the way of Vlagyszlava.
Walsh, a two-time Olympian, knew a stoppage was required in the final round, but Vlagyszlava was too wily for the Irish woman and progresses now to the final.
The 4-1 decision went to the Hungarian boxer, with the scorecards reading: 29:28; 28:29; 28:29; 28:29 and 28:29.
🥉 Michaela Walsh secures a bronze medal (57kg) at the European Elite Boxing Championships in Bulgaria after a split-decision defeat to Hungary’s Kukhta Vlagyszlava.
📺You can watch all Ring A fights live on @rteplayer #TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/VVUREyFzb3
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 24, 2026
“It wasn’t to be on the day,” she told RTÉ Sport.
“The first round dictated the fight. I know she’s a fantastic boxer, a counter-puncher like myself, but more on the front foot,
“Sometimes that can favour the judges’ perception, but overall I’m happy with my performance. I left it all in the ring and I don’t think I could have done any more.
“I’m super proud of my performances this week.”