Two consecutive Olympic gold medals define the career of Dublin-born amateur boxer Kellie Anne Harrington. Since first entering a boxing club at age fifteen, she progressed to become the third Irish Olympic boxing champion. Her sustained performance across the lightweight division includes victories at the 2018 World Championships and multiple European titles.
Early Development and Amateur Ascent
Raised in Dublin's north inner city, Harrington joined St. Mary's Boxing Club in Tallaght after initially being denied entry due to her gender. Her persistence allowed her to progress quickly within the amateur ranks. She secured a silver medal in the light welterweight division at the 2016 Women's World Boxing Championships before transitioning to the lightweight division.
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Harrington secured her place at the 2020 Summer Olympics by winning the European Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament against Caroline Dubois. During the Tokyo Games, she served as a flag bearer at the opening ceremony. Her path to gold included victories over Rebecca Nicoli, Imane Khelif, and Sudaporn Seesondee. In the final on 8 August, she defeated Beatriz Ferreira 5–0 to claim the gold medal.
Parisian Gold and Continued Competition
At the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Harrington secured consecutive gold medals, the first Irish boxer to achieve this milestone. Her tournament path included unanimous decision wins over Alessia Mesiano and Angie Valdés, followed by split decision victories against Beatriz Ferreira and Yang Wenlu. Although she initially announced her retirement after the final, she confirmed her return to the sport in October 2025.
Public Recognition and Personal Life
Beyond the ring, Harrington has received recognition through the freedom of Dublin city in 2022 and inclusion in an An Post stamp collection. She married Mandy Loughlin in April 2022. She maintains a part-time role at St Vincent's Psychiatric Hospital in Dublin and published an autobiography titled Kellie, written with Roddy Doyle, in October 2022.
Fast facts
- Born: 11 December 1989, Dublin
- Sport: Boxing
- 2018 World Championship: Gold
- Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Gold
- Paris 2024 Olympics: Gold
- Freedom of Dublin city: 2022
- Autobiography: Kellie (with Roddy Doyle)
Questions readers ask
Which Olympic events did Kellie Harrington win?
She won gold medals in the lightweight boxing division at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Did Kellie Harrington retire from boxing?
She announced her retirement following the 2024 Paris Olympics but later announced her return to the sport in October 2025.
Achievements
- Competed at boxing at the 2020 Summer Olympics – women's lightweight and boxing at the 2024 Summer Olympics – women's 60 kg
- Discipline: boxing
