WORLD BOXING champion Katie Taylor arrived home from China yesterday morning with her sights set on Olympic gold in 2012.
With a shy smile and a quiet confidence, a "delighted and relieved" Katie entered Dublin airport to chants of "There's only one Katie Taylor". While overjoyed with her win, Katie was already looking towards the next goal.
"The only one I need to get now is the Olympic gold medal - I've done everything else in amateur boxing," Katie (22) said. "It is my dream to be an Olympic champion so hopefully my dreams can come true in four years time."
Women's boxing is not an Olympic sport but a decision on whether to allow it in the 2012 games is expected from the International Olympic Committee soon. Katie is hopeful because IOC members observing the championship were "very impressed", she said.
"I think we deserve boxing in the Olympics . . . I can retire happily after that."
Katie and her parents, Brigid and Peter, who is also her coach, were welcomed home by family, friends and boxing supporters, including her brother Peter.
The Bray champion retained her world lightweight boxing title on Saturday with a convincing win over Chinese boxer Cheng Dong at the AIBA Women's World Championships.
The quiet confidence that was clear as Katie posed for photographs and spoke to journalists was also reflected in the ring.
"Once she gets into the ring and dons the equipment of a boxer, she is a different person, with mental strength - she is everything you would want," Dominic O'Rourke, president of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, said.
The expectations of retaining the title had placed Katie under huge pressure in what was a tough competition, but she said the win has made her more determined.
"To maintain my title is huge, with the Olympics coming up it is my dream and I am more motivated for that."
Katie's family and friends were unable to watch her fights live and instead received regular telephone updates. "We got daily phone calls, but it was very, very tense," her brother Peter said.
Sleep was the top of her agenda after some 40 hours of travelling. "We just need a good rest now and will celebrate then," her father and coach said.
President Mary McAleese congratulated Katie yesterday, describing her as an "outstanding sportswoman".
