Jude Gallagher qualified for the Olympics with a unanimous decision victory over Turkmenistan's Shukur Obezov on Monday night.
Tyrone featherweight Jude Gallagher says it would be “unrealistic” to secure an Olympic spot at the world qualifiers in Italy.
Gallagher became the sixth Irish boxer to qualify for the Paris Games by defeating Turkmenistan's Skul Obezov.
The next morning, as emotions continued to swirl in her head, Gallagher recalled watching the 2012 London Olympics when she was 10 years old.
“I was in seventh grade and my school had plans for summer vacation,” he said.
“I had just won my first title in Ireland. My teacher, Master McGlone, used to come up to me while we were playing in the garden and say, 'The boxing is starting…come in and watch. I remember saying, 'Why don't you try it?'
“I was sitting inside watching the games. That's my first memory of watching the Olympics. To be able to qualify for the Paris Olympics now, 12 years later, is surreal.
“It's something I've dreamed of ever since I started boxing. And yesterday, even after the final bell rang, I was overcome with emotion as I realized, 'This is it… I'm going to be an Olympian.'
Started boxing at the age of 8
Gallagher, from Newtownstewart, started boxing two years ago at the age of eight with his brother Noel at the Bishop Kelly Club in Esclat.
“It's something I tried and I loved it right away. I just kept going. I kept training.”
All the long hours of training that began at the Bishop Kelly Club culminated in Gallagher's flawless performance over Obezoff in the quarter-finals of Monday's clash at Busto Arsizio near Milan.
The judges were not particularly kind to the Irish team in Northern Italy, but Gallagher “took the referee's hands off” with his best performance of the week following his previous three wins.
“I didn't expect the match to go as well as it did. I didn't expect to give him a count or take him down, but it just worked out.” 2022 Commonwealth Games gold the medalist added.
“Coming here, I knew it would be a big challenge to get at least four fights to qualify and fight in a division that has top fighters from around the world.
“I took it one fight at a time. I never thought about what was ahead or who I might face. Just one fight at a time, one round at a time.
“Thankfully, as the tournament went on, I got better and better and last night I had my best performance when I needed it most.”
At the age of 11, Gallagher played for the Ulster team and traveled to Germany with Irish coach Damien Kennedy (left).
Gallagher added that it was fitting that Damien Kennedy was in Ireland's corner alongside head coach Zaul Antia as he celebrated the biggest moment of his boxing career.
“I said to Damian last night after the Black Forest Cup fight.
“In fact, when I was 11 or 12 we went to the Black Forest Cup in Germany with the Ulster team and he was the coach. Now from the Black Forest Cup, maybe It’s a bit of a journey before we both make it to the Olympics.”
“The players are top, top guys. I'm very grateful for everything they've coached for me. I joined the high-performance unit when I won my first Elite title at the age of 18. We've been working together ever since.”
“I have full confidence in them. I know if I just relax, stay calm and do what they say, I can get the job done.”
Father John Boxer's “biggest fan''
Gallagher's father John, his “biggest fan”, was among the Italian ringside family and friends who attended Jude's jubilant post-fight celebrations, but was quickly removed for a drug test. It was supposed to be for a short time because he was taken away.
“He's been driving me all over the country since I wasn't even old. He's been a big part of not only my boxing but my life. It’s as much a credit to him as it is to the.”
The boxer's mobile phone also went “mentally'' during the congratulatory messages, and Gallagher is now spending the week at home, giving up the chance to meet family and friends before returning to Dublin next Tuesday to continue preparations for the Olympics. He says he is looking forward to it. Really.
“I'll be back to training. I've got work to do,” Gallagher added. Personal joy was tempered by disappointment for his team-mates Grainne Walsh and Kellyn Cassidy. This came after his hopes of qualifying for the Olympics in Italy were dashed by a difficult decision. Lost in the quarterfinals.
