Morning report from Team Ireland on Day One of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
JULY 24th, 2021: It was a jam-packed morning of action for Team Ireland at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, with athletes from rowing, gymnastics, boxing.
BOXING
Kurt Walker was the first Irish boxer into the ring in Tokyo today, facing off against Spain’s Jose Quiles Brotons in the Men’s Featherweight (52-57kg) Round of 32 at the Kokugikan Arena. A powerful display from Walker saw him progress through, winning the fight by unanimous decision.
‘I’m so happy to be here, and so happy to get the win,” he said afterwards. “I’m feeling grateful. I was listening to the coaches and I knew I was going to win. It just went off a bit in the second round but that’s normal in the first fight, it’s good to have that type of thing behind me.’
Awaiting him in the next round is World Champion and number one seed, Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov from Uzbekistan.
GYMNASTICS
The first of Ireland’s two gymnasts to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Rhys McClenaghan, completed his men’s qualification round on the Pommel Horse earlier this morning with a score of 15.266. His display saw him top the Pommel Horse individual results in subdivision 1 but he will have to wait until later today to find out his fate, with the top 8 ranked gymnasts in each individual section qualifying for the final. Full results will be available after all three subdivisions are completed later today. Speaking afterwards, the European and Commonwealth gold medallist was proud of his performance, and is relying on his preparation to make improvements to his routine if he advances to the final.
“It was a good day at the office. I am an Olympian now and that is a dream come true. We are as prepared as we can be. I am relying on the preparation that we have done so far to replicate my routine today and do it better.”
ROWING
The Men’s Double of Philip Doyle and Ronan Byrne kept their Olympic hopes alive, finishing third in their repechage, and will now compete in the Semi-Final A/B tomorrow (Sunday).
The event schedule was adjusted today to allow for a rescheduling of races that were set to take place on Monday, due to the expectation of strong winds. The saltwater course is changeable, with conditions unpredictable.
Evening report from Team Ireland on Day One of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
JULY 24th, 2021: Gymnast Rhys McClenaghan has made history today as he became the first Irish gymnast to qualify for an Olympic final following an incredible performance on the Pommel Horse earlier today. Indeed, it was another busy evening all round for the Irish, as the Team Ireland hockey team got their Tokyo 2020 Olympic campaign underway with a comfortable 2-0 win over South Africa.
GYMNASTICS
Rhys McClenaghan has made history today as the first Irish gymnast to qualify for an Olympic final. Since his incredible performance on the Pommel Horse earlier on today, McClenaghan had a long wait for the completion of the three subdivisions to receive the exciting news. McClenaghan sat comfortably in 1st place throughout the first and second subdivision with the hopes of qualification set firmly in his sight.
After the day’s competition, McClenaghan finished in joint 2nd place alongside Kohei Kameyama, Japan, on a score of 15.266. Gymnasts are judged on a combination of Difficulty (D) & Execution (E) for their performance and both gymnasts were awarded the same score as Taiwan’s Chih Kai Lee in 1st place. However, Lee was declared the winner by achieving a higher execution mark. Lee was awarded 6.400 for Difficulty (D) and 8.866 for Execution (E), beating both McClenaghan’s and Kameyama’s Execution (E) mark of 8.766. The runners-up were awarded 6.500 for Difficulty (D).
“I am so proud to be the first Irish gymnast to make an Olympic final,” McClenaghan stated after the news was officially confirmed. “I am looking forward to going out and representing Team Ireland once again.”
HOCKEY
Ireland made a dream start to life as an Olympic hockey team as they got the best of South Africa in their debut on this stage.
Róisín Upton’s powerful low drag-flick in the ninth minute meant they held the lead from the outset, an advantage they eventually strengthened before the end of the third quarter via Sarah Torrans. It gives them the perfect platform for the tournament with a big date against world number one side the Netherlands on Monday.
Sarah Torrans scored the second goal, a particularly special moment as it was her first in a major world ranking tournament. Speaking after the game she said: “It’s so special, to do it with this bunch of girls is incredible. It’s a pity family and friends can’t be here to see it, but hopefully we can do them proud at home. It’s really nice to score in your first game – it’s one an attacker dreams of!
“You could probably see the smiles on our faces walking out – it’s been a long day waiting for this game, so to finally be on the pitch, it’s incredible, it feels so surreal. We are delighted to get it going with a win and excited to get it going.”
