Newtownstewart boxer Jude Gallagher will fulfil a childhood dream when he steps into the ring on Wednesday in Paris at the Olympic Games.
Gallagher will be competing in the 57kg category in the Round of 16 at 2:30pm, and after winning gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, The Tyrone Tornado will be hoping to perform once again on the big stage.
The 22-year-old qualified for the Games back in March thanks to a top four finish at the first Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Italy and is now the second Tyrone boxer to reach the Olympics.
Gallagher reflected: “It was a very special moment but whenever that final bell went in that last fight and I heard the words of the announcer say and going to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, it just felt surreal.
“The moment I then shared with my father in the stands was a very special moment for both of us. It’s going to be a proud moment for me and my family, for everyone back home and for all the supporters I have whenever I get into the ring.”
It’s a dream that he’s had since watching the London 2012 Olympics as a 10-year-old with his father.
He said: “I remember watching the London 2012 Olympic Games with my father and he said would I ever like to box at the Olympics and he seen Paris and he says you’ll be 22 then. That just shows that the dream was always there from a young age.”
Gallagher is a recipient of the National Lottery funded Sport NI Athlete Award which supports athletes to achieve success at elite level by covering living costs and expenses of training.
Gallagher said: “The Sport NI Athlete Award has helped me massively because it lifted a huge weight off my shoulder which meant I didn’t have to go and work as well as train full time.
“I can just fully put my attention on full time training which led me to get the best results at competition.”
Gallagher also receives support from the Sport NI Sports Institute with physio Lorcan McGee, who works closely with Northern Ireland Olympian siblings Aidan and Michalea Walsh.
Lorcan McGee is in Paris with the Team Ireland boxing squad and Jude is thankful for the expertise of Lorcan and the Institute.
He said: “Lorcan has been very helpful to me over the years. We have worked very closely ever since I was a youth boxer.
“He’s making sure we stay fresh, that everything is working as it should be and having a physio is so important. Having Lorcan does a great job in making sure we’re at the top of our game.”
The Sport NI Athlete Award is made possible thanks to National Lottery players, who raise £30m for good causes every week.