Kellie Harrington was greeted by family, friends and supporters at Dublin Airport on Sunday as she arrived home from New Dehli with a World Championship gold medal around her neck.
It was the second time that the 28-year-old has claimed a medal at the championships. Two years ago, at light welterweight, she won silver. It was at lightweight in which she defeated Thailand's Sudaporn Seesondee on Saturday.
"I moved down to 60kg because it's an Olympic weight and I wanted to succeed at 60," Harrington told RTÉ.
"It's been years coming. To finally reach my goal is amazing, but we're not finished yet. We're aiming for Tokyo.
"To stand on top of that podium and have our flag raised above my head, it was just so emotional for me, the best feeling ever."
It was an honour to be the keynote speaker in @dublincastleopw today at the commemoration of volunteers Peadar Clancy, Dick McKee and Conor Clune who were shot on Bloody Sunday 21st November 1920 while under detention in Dublin Castle. pic.twitter.com/sWO0QBIQ5W
— Lord Mayor of Dublin (@LordMayorDublin) November 25, 2018
Harrington will receive funding as she sets her sights on the 2020 Olympics. She will also continue to work at St. Vincent's Hospital.
I work every second weekend. Luckily enough for me they are very flexible and they look after me. I'm in this weekend and I'm really looking forward to getting in there and seeing all the patients. That's what keeps me grounded. They tell me the truth; I like that.
We're a great community, we all stick together through the good times and the bad times. I'm very very proud of where I'm from. I'll always have the backing of the north east inner city, from everybody around the community and all of Ireland.
Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
