YOUNG SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR FINALIST: John Donoghue

Westmeath Examiner Community & Sports Awards

Sixteen-year-old John Donoghue from Mullingar achieved an extraordinary feat in the world of boxing in the past year, securing both the World Junior and European titles in the light-welterweight category.

His journey culminated in a world title victory at the World Junior Championships in Yerevan, Armenia, where he delivered a dominant performance against Uzbekistan’s Ulmasov Khikmatillo, winning by a 4-1 split decision.

Donoghue’s rise to the top of the boxing world is a remarkable story of dedication and perseverance. Competing against fighters from over 50 countries, many of whom were older and more experienced, Donoghue’s success marks a significant milestone not only for him but also for his club, the Olympic Boxing Club in Mullingar.

In June, Donoghue had already made headlines by capturing the European gold in the 66kg welterweight division, defeating Armenia’s Arto Stepanyan in a thrilling final. His victory was marked by two standing counts against his opponent, a testament to Donoghue’s power and skill in the ring. With this win, Donoghue added his name to the list of 19 Irish boxers who have won gold in the history of the European Championships.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Johnny Joyce, Head Coach at the Olympic Boxing Club, praised Donoghue’s achievement, calling it a proud moment for both the young boxer and the club.

“He is over the moon with the win. He works extremely hard; there is no secret to his success. He is an amazing young boy and he has been improving every year with the club,” said Joyce.

He added that the standard at the club is incredibly high, with all the boxers pushing each other to achieve great things.

Donoghue’s victory in Yerevan is all the more impressive considering he is eligible to compete at the same level next year, having faced competitors a year older than him in this tournament.

However, Joyce hinted that the young champion might move up to the 66kg division due to his rapid progress. “It probably hasn’t sunk in yet and he probably just doesn’t realise the enormity of his achievement, but he is still a very young, raw talent,” Joyce remarked. The significance of Donoghue’s world title cannot be overstated. It represents not just a personal triumph, but also a triumph for Irish boxing, particularly in a year when political obstacles threatened to derail his campaign.

Donoghue’s journey to the final was not without controversy. In the quarter-finals, he faced Russian opponent Zakhar Bespalov after the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) lifted its boycott of Russian athletes. The decision followed intense negotiations, including government intervention, to allow Donoghue to compete.

Following the victory over Bespalov, Joyce expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped ensure Donoghue could compete. “We would like to thank everyone who helped ensure John could box in the quarter-finals against Russia,” he said, acknowledging the support from local representatives and the broader community.

Joyce also highlighted the challenges faced by other young boxers from the club who missed out on opportunities due to the boycott, emphasizing the club’s desire to focus on the sport rather than politics.

Donoghue’s path to the world title continued with a semi-final victory over Greece’s Emmanouil Fotiadis, a two-time European champion, setting up a final showdown with Khikmatillo.

The win was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication, with Joyce noting that Donoghue’s disappointment at narrowly missing out on medals in last year’s European Championships only fuelled his determination. The success of the Olympic Boxing Club in Mullingar extends beyond Donoghue.

The club has enjoyed a string of victories, with John’s younger brother, Jason Donoghue, winning a U14 European School Boys title in Slovenia, and Louise Joyce capturing an U14 School Girls title at the same event.

Last year, five boxers from the club won European titles, and more recently, Jason Nevin secured a senior league title at 60kg. As Donoghue prepares to return to Ireland, the Olympic Boxing Club is planning to introduce their latest world champion to his fellow boxers.

His victories on the European and world stages are a testament to his hard work and the strength of the club’s training program. “It’s just a reward for all his hard work, and he is just such a dedicated boxer, always looking to improve,” said Joyce, reflecting on a year that has firmly established John Donoghue as one of the brightest young talents in the world of boxing.

John Donoghue’s Road to Glory

Quarter-final: Defeated Russian opponent Zakhar Bespalov.

Semi-final: Overcame two-time European champion Emmanouil Fotiadis (Greece).

World Final: Triumphed over Ulmasov Khikmatillo (Uzbekistan) by 4-1 split decision.