Crowning moment for Harris as boxer takes on world
GEELONG boxer Kristy Harris has described her bronze medal at the world championships as the crowning moment of her career.
Harris, who returned home following a podium finish at the world titles in India, is now the world’s No.3 ranked boxer in the women’s 54kg division.
With qualifications for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games next year, Harris has hit form on the back of a successful 10day stint in New Delhi.
“The whole trip was great,” Harris said.
“I had six good fights in my lead-up and plenty of good international sparring. Obviously I was disappointed with the loss in the semis as I know I can perform better, but I am stoked to be bringing back a bronze medal.
“Medalling at the world championships (which, along with the Olympics, is seen as the pinnacle of the sport) has been a goal of mine ever since I started boxing.
“This was my fourth world championships, so having the experience of 76 fights — rather than eight when I first went to the world championships in China in 2012 — I felt a lot more confident and was able to back myself.
“This is the biggest achievement in my career so far.
“I enjoyed every moment of it. But it wasn’t long before I was thinking of my next mission.”
The world titles triumph capped a busy period for the four-time Australian champion, who has been competing overseas since August.
In India, Harris sparred with a host of world-class fighters before entering the tournament.
With the bye in the first round, Harris clashed with Costa Rica’s Julianna Rodriguez Acevedo, winning by splitpoints decision to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Harris then hit Brazil’s Juci- elen Romeu, clinching a unanimous decision and guaranteeing a medal.
But her tournament would end in the semi-finals, going down by unanimous decision to eventual gold medallist and world champion Yu-Ting Lin of Chinese Taipei.
“I knew it would be a tough fight,” Harris said. “I had been told she was the favourite for the division but that didn’t matter to me, I was focused on what I wanted to do against her, went in and gave it my best crack.”