Lisa and Aoife O’Rourke have claimed bronze medals at the Women’s World Boxing championship in Nis, Serbia.
The sisters came out victorious in their quarter-final bouts, to guarantee bronze medals and advance to silver medal bouts.
Lisa O’Rourke claimed light middleweight bronze with a unanimous victory over Azerbaijan's Aynur Rzayeva.
Lisa was in control throughout the contest and deservedly claimed victory across the five judges’ cards. However questions will remain after a somewhat sloppy performance.
Lisa got the nod on three of the judges fives cards for the first round. Rzayeva receiving a standing eight count with 80 seconds left in the round.
While looking on course for a comfortable win, Lisa allowed her guard drop and was caught with a cheap left. Thus, Lisa receiving a standing eight count.
Indeed, Lisa showed more control in the second round, claiming the round on four of the judges scorecards. Although, showed defensive lapses throughout.
While the third round was more controlled. Lisa looked to have been short on fitness into the closing half of the round.
Something a stronger opponent will take advantage of. However, a win is still a win with Lisa getting the nod across the cards; 27-30, 27-30, 28-29, 27-30, 28-29.
Things were far more straight forward for Aoife O’Rourke, who surprisingly saw off Aziza Zokirova of Uzbekistan on a split decision in the middleweight division.
The Cuban judge giving a surprise win to Zokirova, having scored the second round in Aoife O’Rourke’s favour.
However, Aoife had the better of the fight and always looked in control. In a tight first round, where the judges gave Aoife the 10-9 on the cards except for the Cuban judge.
The two time Olympian was in total control in the second round, landing a number of good combo’s to this time scoring the round victory across the cards.
The third round was more of a long haul. Although Aoife came out the stronger eventually scoring victory across the scorecards; 30-27, 28-29, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27.
Both O'Rourke's will box for silver tomorrow.
