Valuable experience for Daina
ENNISKERRY BC’S Daina Moorehouse returned to defend her Golden Girl’s title in Sweden last weekend. Daina was part of a Leinster panel led by Arklow’s Linda Morgan, Andrew Duncan and Enniskerry coach Paul O’Toole.
Daina has won gold for the past two years in Sweden and indeed was awarded a training scholarship in Cuba on the back of her performances last year.
Due to the fact Daina is now fighting at U18 level, her training cycle has changed so essentially the Golden Girls represented her seasonal debut.
Her first bout against the German champion was very straightforward as Daina was simply too powerful for her opponent and the referee called a stop to the bout early in round two.
Daina faced Thailand’s Nillada Meekoon in Sunday’s final. Meekon is the current World silver medalist and beat Daina in the World’s in Hungary last summer.
Clearly the Thai Boxing Association’s investment in their young boxers is reflected in the fact that they sent a team to Sweden this year.
Daina started the bout very well, catching her opponent with some sharp hooks and clever footwork.
The first round was very close before Meekoon began to find her range with a snapping jab, superb movement and hand speed.
The bout became scrappy as Moorehouse tried to get close to her elusive opponent and in the end played into the hands of her taller opponent.
In a unanimous loss there were no complaints from Daina who knows she needs to compete against the best to continue to improve.
It was a tough way to start the season, but with her training only beginning in earnest again for the season ahead it is all experience in the bank.
Moorehouse continues to work on her S&C with Shoreline, Bray, and high-performance training is restarting this week so there is a lot of boxing and learning to be done in the months ahead.
While Daina was competing in Sweden, coach Eve Carr was invited to a seminar entitled ‘Engaging and Empowering Women in Boxing’ in Belfast.
Organised by the Ulster Boxing Council and the IABA, it was an excellent day with a variety of keynote speakers and workshops on nutrition, the ‘20 for 20’ campaign and increasing female participation in boxing. World champion Kellie Harrington was on hand to offer her support and encouragement.