European gold for talented young Mullingar boxer
A young Mullingar female boxer has won gold at the European Boxing Championships in Maribor, Slovenia.
In a fantastic achievement, Louise Joyce, aged 13, overcame Ukrainian and English opposition to win the coveted prize. A member of the Olympic Boxing Club in Mullingar, Louise is thrilled with her success and with the experience she has gained by travelling to different countries during the summer.
She left for Slovenia on August 15 and returned on August 26, the day after the final. Her proudest moment came when the Irish National Anthem was played and she stood on the podium as a European champion, representing Ireland.
As part of her preparation for the European Championships, Louise spent four days in Poland on a training camp. Before that, she had to come through the Irish Cadets boxing competition in Dublin in June, where tough fights took place against Ulster and Dublin opponents.
It all meant Louise was clearly very well prepared and coached as she out-boxed her Ukrainian opponent in the semi-final, forcing her into two standing counts before the referee stopped the bout.
The final was a tougher affair against England’s Summer Grigg, a very strong opponent. The bout went the distance and after the judges deliberated, Louise was crowned European champion by unanimous decision having won all three rounds.
Louise was forced to adapt in the final and change her style as her English opponent was proving a particularly challenging one. She showed great versatility and skill to adjust and produce a winning display.
Louise, who was joined by her dad Patrick in Slovenia, was part of a team of 26 Irish boxers at the event and three of them returned with gold medals. Her Olympic Boxing Club colleague, Jason Donoghue secured a silver medal at the championships.
Victory has added to an already impressive CV for the talented female boxer, whose idol is none other than Ireland’s Olympic heroine Katie Taylor. Louise is already a five-time All-Ireland champion and last year she won a European silver medal in Turkey.
“It was great to go one step further than last year. I really enjoyed the whole experience; it was just brilliant. I was so delighted I actually felt lonesome leaving the Irish team and returning home as I know it’s a year until the next European Championships,” said Louise.
The talented Mullingar boxer is a younger sister of 10-time Irish champion Patsy Joyce (17), but unlike Louise, he is still awaiting a European gold medal.
Louise is coached by her uncle, Johnny Joyce at the Olympic Boxing Club, Mullingar. Her parents Patrick and Winnie are naturally beaming with pride following their daughter’s triumph.