Clancy fighting for Ireland at Olympics
BOXING sensation Dean Ward said it was a dream come true when the phonecall he had been waiting for finally arrived.
Bernard Dunne rang his Head Coach Stephen Reynolds to tell him the European silver medallists was going to the Youth Olympics this October.
The prestigious competition is taking place in Argentina in and Dean said it’s a massive honour for him and that he it has been his goal to get there since winning the Irish Youth title at the start of the year.
Dean, who boxes for Ballinacarrow, is one of only 2 Irish boxers heading the the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires. Lauren Kelly of St Brigid’s Edenderry is the other Irish fighter going to the tournament.
After winning the silver medal at the European Youths last April, it looked like Dean may have been one win short of qualifying but the Sligo flyweight received the call he had been waiting for.
Dean said: “I am delighted really, it’s a dream come true.
“I think one of the other countries had to pull out, so there was a vacant spot in the 52kg and because I’m second best in Europe I got the call. I’m so happy.
“The Youth Olympics are on in Buenos Aires in October, I’ve never been there before, it’s very far!,” he laughed. “I have mostly travelled around Europe competing.”
There is only 6 boxers in his weight and the Sligo man will be fighting the best boxers in the world and there are 3 medals up for grabs with Dean hoping to get his hands on one and what an achievement that would be for the Ballinode native.
At 16 years of age, he is fighting in the U18 category and that means coming up against fighters who are much older.
“I’m only 16 so I fight boxers who are 17 and 18 year old.
“I’m fighting guys who are 2 years older.
“Because of my age, I’ll still be fighting the Europeans next year too.”
Dean said competing at the Europeans in Italy last April where he won a silver medal was brilliant.
“It was a great experience for me, there was 16 of us from Ireland altogether. This was the first year there were boys and girls.”
Dean had a tough few days with no breaks.
“I had 3 fights in 3 days. I suppose I had the hard side of the draw.
“I beat the European champion the Ukranian in the semi final.
“I could potentially be fighting him again at the Youth Olympics.
“It will be different as there’s a whole different style, say the Mexican style, Asian and American etc.
“The Mexican style is very aggressive. I’m really looking forward to it,” he added.
Not only is he preparing for Argentina, the 16-year-old has the World Championships coming up in Budapest next month and the teenage boxer has also been given the opportunity to train with Ireland’s elite boxers, the likes of Olympic boxers Brendan Irvine, Joe Ward and Katie Taylor in Abbottstown.
It is something the Ballinode native says is a huge honour for him.
Dean has been boxing since he was 8 with his dad as coach. Jason said the boxer had initially taken up kickboxing but soon realised boxing was his thing.
Dean’s older brother Jason is also a champion boxer and is currently taking a break for the summer.
Jason said that at only 16 years of age Dean already has won 3 medals this year, 2 national titles and a European silver which is unheard of for a boxer so young.
Jason and Stephen made the decision for Dean not to fight in the National U18 championships which were on last weekend as he has so much going on.
“We decided to pull it even though Dean was going to defend his title. We got better news that Dean was invited to train with the elites for the next 4 weeks in Abbottstown,” Jason said.
Dean said he is also looking forward to the World championships in Budapest and said organisers have allowed a lot more people in so the competition will really open up.
Dean has been enjoying phenomenal success last year he won 2 National titles along with the European silver medal and 2018 is following in that success.
He still manages to fit school in too around his busy training schedule. “I just finished 5th year there in Ballinode. I’ll be doing the Leaving Cert next year.
“The Clayton Hotel gave me a year’s membership in their gym and that really helps a lot as it means I can go over and use the gym before school which is great. “
Dean said he wouldn’t have got to where he is without his dad who put a huge amount of time into coaching the young boxer.
Jason said: “Because of all the time that goes into it that means I cannot work so I’m really lucky I have my wife and family there and help out with funding the trips abroad.
“There is no money in boxing and we’re hoping someone might come on board as sponsor.
“EJ’s Menswear kindly sponsored me for the Euros,” Dean said. “It would be great to get a sponsor for the Olympics, having their logo going to the Olympics and all that.”
Jason said that he wants his son to get the recognition he deserves.
“His commitment is fantastic. He trains 4 hours a day everyday and might have one day off on Sundays but he would still go for a jog or a swim on those days.
“If he didn’t do well in a fight he would promise me that he would go back and win it and he has always stuck to his word. “He would train twice as hard and win.” Dean added: “Training is the key. No one is born a boxer, you get what you put in.”
And the young boxer could be coming home to Sligo with an Olympic medal later this year.
HIS COMMITMENT IS FANTASTIC. HE TRAINS 4 HOURS A DAY EVERYDAY AND MIGHT HAVE ONE REST DAY BUT HE STILL GOES FOR A JOG