(NOV 13) The 2017 AIBA
Women’s World Youth Championships take place in Guwahati, India
from 19-26 November with the vast majority of the competing
nations now on their way to or already in India.
There is an eight strong Irish
contingent leaving Dublin early Wednesday and they’ve been
training for some weeks now both at the Two Castles Club in
County Tyrone and in Dublin’s National Stadium.
AIBA has been responsible for the rapid development of Women’s
Boxing since the first elite World Championships back in 2001,
working to give women the opportunity to compete at the highest
level and, more recently, for their inclusion in the Olympic
programme for the first time at London 2012.
In that time, the sport has seen new legends written into its
history, with the likes of Mary Kom, Nicola Adams, Katie Taylor
and Claressa Shields providing inspiration for many of those
heading to Guwahati with dreams of following in their idols’
footsteps. Indeed one of the Irish team Shannon Reilly was a
club mate of the aforementioned Taylor at the Bray Boxing Club.
Dominic O’Rourke, President of the IABA, and Gerry Storey,
Chairperson of the IABA Ladies Committee, spoke to the panel and
wished all the best of luck in India.
“They’re (squad) getting stronger and stronger,” said Team
Manager Anna Moore. “All they want to do now is get there and
get into the ring. That’s what they trained for and they’re
ready.”
Guwahati marks the first standalone World Women’s Youth
Championships; all previous tournaments were held in conjunction
with the World Women’s Junior Championships. In previous years,
Ireland has done very well medal wise but in the writer’s view
this year will see the highest standard the tournament has ever
reached with such as Russia, China and the United States joining
hosts India as the favourites to top the medals table.
Before leaving for India, we
spoke with leading Irish coach Liam Brereton, and wondered how
he saw this year’s Championships pan out.
“ You’re right – this WILL be the biggest, the best and the
toughest to date but we are well prepared. We had a very
productive camp in Co. Tyrone - big thanks to the Two Castles
club in Newtownstewart. All the girls are in a very positive
mood, We have a very balanced team. Some experienced girls for
their age, five of the team are Youths again next year.
Caitlin Fryers 48kg was 2017 European Silver medallist, Shauna
Blaney 51kg boxed as Junior in Worlds in Taiwan, so will know
many of her opponents. At 57kg Labhaoise Clarke is a lovely
stylish boxer, at 60kg Marguerite Nevin is a very strong young
talent whilst Katelynn Phelan (64kg), a girl I feel is really
coming to herself.
Bray BC’s Shannon Reilly (69kg) looks like ‘a star in the
making’. Lauren Kelly (75kg), from my own club has improved a
lot since the Europeans and 54kg Mary Geraghty could be ‘the
surprise packet’ in the team. It’s a world championship nothing
will be won easy, we are very confident the girls have been
putting the long hard sessions in, it will all be about
performance, that’s all as coaches we ask for. I firmly believe
this team will do just that”
The 2017 AIBA World Women’s Youths will act as a qualifier for
the 2018 Olympic Youths in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the fly,
feather, light and middle classes.
Thirty eight nations have registered to compete in Guwahati
which also marks the first time a World Championships has been
held in India since New Delhi 2006 where Katie Taylor won her
first World Elite gold.
Five time AIBA World Elite Champion Mary Kom, who with several
of the Indian team attended the St.Brigid’s Edenderry
International Sparring Camp earlier this year feels honoured to
have been appointed as the AIBA Ambassador for the event and
said:
“It is an honour to have been chosen as Ambassador for the 2017
Women’s Youth World Championships and be a part of the
prestigious competition with it held in India for the first
time. The standard of boxing these young women are producing has
never been higher, and with gender equality a priority for AIBA
and the IOC, there has never been more opportunities for women
to take up the sport and compete on the biggest stage”
AIBA Youth Women’s World Boxing Championships Guwahati, India
19-26 November 2017
Irish Squad:
48kg Caitlin Fryers (Immaculata BC)
51kg Shauna Blaney (Navan)
54kg Mary Geraghty (Baldoyle)
57kg Labhaoise Clarke (Carndonagh)
60kg Marguerita Nevin (St.Brigid’s, Kildare)
63kg Katelynn Phelan (St.Brigid’s, Kildare)
69kg Shannon Reilly (Bray BC )
75kg Lauren Kelly (St.Brigid’s, Edenderry)
Team Manager: Anna Moore
Coaches: Jimmy Payne, Liam Brereton, Antia Just
