Leading the charge for Ireland: Ballynacargy’s Wayne Kelly (right)

Kelly to represent Ireland at World Championships

Ballynacargy boxer Wayne Kelly will fly the flag for Westmeath and Ireland at the 2019 AIBA Men’s Elite World Amateur Boxing Championships, which will take place in Yekaterinburg, Russia from September 7 to 21.

This is a remarkable achievement for the light-welter, who started off his career at Ballynacargy Boxing Club but now boxes out of Portlaoise BC. Kelly hopes to use the Worlds as the springboard from which to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in the Japanese capital, Tokyo.

He is heading to Germany for a 10-day training camp before going straight to Russia for what will be the most important tournament in his career to date.

Kelly was delighted to be picked as the number one boxer to represent his country and go for gold in at light-welterweight.

“I’ve trained so hard for this and I can’t wait to get in and perform to my best,” Kelly told the Westmeath Examiner. “This wouldn’t be possible without the help I got over the years from my parents, grandfather, friends and my national coaches, and Pat Ryan of Portlaoise Boxing Club, who has supported me from day one.

“I have a great team backing me and getting me to where I am competing at world level.

“The Olympics are on next year, so this will be a huge experience for me – hopefully I can qualify for them too.

“I would like to thank everyone for their kind messages over the last few weeks – it’s very much appreciated.”