Castlerea’s Aoife O’Rourke has upgraded her World Championship bronze to at least silver after a powerful performance in the semi-finals of the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool.
The double Olympian and four-time continental champion overcame 2023 World Champion Chengyu Wang of China in a gripping 75kg semi-final contest. Aoife’s relentless pace and accuracy proved too much for her opponent, forcing Wang into repeated warnings, a first-round point deduction, and even a third-round standing count.
While the opening exchanges were close, Aoife’s superior stamina and pressure told as the fight went on. Judges scored the bout 28:28, 27:29, 26:30, 27:29, 26:30 – a 4-0 split decision victory for the Castlerea native.
The result guarantees Aoife at least a World silver medal, but she now has her sights set firmly on gold. She will step back into the ring on Sunday afternoon to face Busra Isildar of Turkey, a World and European medallist, in the 75kg final.
Aoife’s journey to the final included an emphatic 5-0 win over Monika Langerova of the Czech Republic and a 4-1 victory against Olympic medallist Sunniva Hofstad of Norway.
With her trademark intensity, fitness, and composure, Aoife has shown once again why she is among the very best in the world. Now, the whole of Castlerea – and Ireland – will be behind her as she goes for World Championship gold.
📅 Final: Sunday Afternoon Session
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Good luck Aoife – Castlerea is so proud of you! 💚🥊