Flyweight boxer Brendan Irvine has been officially selected to represent Team Ireland at the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer.
The Rio Olympian from Belfast secured his Olympic berth at the European Olympic boxing qualifier in London in March 2020, shortly before the event was postponed. Irvine’s competition will take place in the Kokugikan Arena, and run from Monday 26 July until Saturday 7 August.
This is the third official Team Ireland Tokyo team announcement, and currently Team Ireland has achieved 65 quota spots across thirteen sports, with many athletes and sports at various stages on that qualification journey. Team announcements will come more frequently as we approach the summer, with the final team announcement scheduled for the beginning of July.
Twenty-four year old Irvine joins Canoe Slalom racer Liam Jegou and Jack Woolley from Taekwondo as officially selected Team Ireland members for the Games which run from the 23rd July to 8th August.
Speaking about his selection Irvine said,
“I’m really delighted to be selected to compete in my second Olympic Games. It is always an honour to wear the Irish top, but to wear in an Olympic venue is particularly special. Tokyo will be its own unique experience. We may not have the loud cheers of Rio, but that won’t stop me. I am looking forward to getting out there and representing my country once more with pride.”
Olympic Federation of Ireland Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, Tricia Heberle said,
“We are delighted to welcome Brendan to the team as an officially selected Team Ireland member for Tokyo. Brendan is a tremendous worker, who brings with him a lot of experience having already competed in the Rio Olympics. He can now call himself a dual Olympian, an honour that very few athletes achieve.”
Bernard Dunne, Boxing Performance Director said,
“What Brendan has achieved in becoming a double Olympian is remarkable, especially considering the challenges and setbacks that he has had over the past two years. He has had limited chances to compete, and in his first major competition in almost two years, he qualified for the Olympic Games. This shows his drive and determination, qualities which are why we chose him as captain and leader. It is a credit to him to get where he is and is a fantastic achievement. Brendan is a great example to all our athletes, he followed the path and never lost belief. Through all his setbacks, he had good support around him and that helped too.”
TEAM IRELAND TOKYO ATHLETE ANNOUNCEMENT:
Boxing Men’s Fly 49kg:
Brendan Irvine (Belfast)
Team Ireland Officially Selected Athletes to date:
Canoe Slalom C1:
Liam Jegou (Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare)
Taekwondo -58kg:
Jack Woolley (Tallaght, Dublin)
Boxing Men’s Fly 49kg:
Brendan Irvine (Belfast)
