WORLD SPOT FOR AMY
DUNDALK boxer Amy Broadhurst is set to enter the history books as she becomes the first female boxer from Co Louth to represent Ireland at the AIBA World Championships in India later this month.
The twenty-one year old is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Katie Taylor who claimed Ireland’s first gold on the last occasion the World Women’s Elites were held in New Delhi in 2006.
Amy already took gold at the European under 22s championships in Romania in the spring.
“She has given her life to boxing. She hasn’t a job and doesn’t go out socialising when she’s training.”
‘It’s been a good year for her so far, so we’re hoping she can cap it off at the World Championships,’says her father and coach Tony Broadhurst.
She forms part of the six strong squad which includes Ceire Smith, Michaela Walsh, Kelly Harrington, Grainne Walsh, and Aoife O’Rourke.
The team are currently in Germany training with the host nation, Greece, Great Britain, Sweden and USA at the German Olympic and Paralympic Sport Centre in Kienbaum.
The competition will see the former underage star step up to light welter where she won the English Elite title earlier this year.
‘ There will be top boxers from 32 countries taking part in the Championships and she won’t know who she is competing against until the draw is made after the weigh-in,’ explains Tony, who will be travelling to India.
‘We knew about two months ago that she would be boxing in the World Championships so we have been gearing up in terms of training, strength conditioning, running, boxing skills and sparring,’ says Tony.
He is delighted that Amy has been picked to represent her country, noting that ‘she’s one of the youngest competitors on the Irish team.’
She came back from England at the end of last year and is training full time for the World Championships.
Amy trains with Dealga Boxing Club and also goes to Dublin where she spars with other Elite women boxers.
‘She has given her life to boxing. She hasn’t a job and doesn’t go out socialising when she’s training,’ says Tony.
Local firm CTI Solutions have come on board as sponsors which is a major boost for Amy as she concentrates on furthering her career in the boxing ring.