Nolan tops off dream week by taking gold

THE EUPHORIA was more measured than after his Olympic qualification, but Adam Nolan had decided to make this week’s package just so.

He could have walked into Trabzon town on Friday night and celebrated his boxing coming of age. But the chance of a gold medal, his first at international level, demanded more concentration and effort from the former Oulart-the-Ballagh man.

Once more he delivered.

His poise and awkward south paw game came to make him the most difficult welterweight to beat at the Olympic Qualification tournament.

While he relied on a countback in his final against Germany’s Patrick Wojocicki, which ended 14-14, Nolan is the revelation in this week’s boxing adventure to Turkey.

Part of the Irish High Performance group for just over a year, his four wins and a place at London’s top table will ensure everyone knows about this tall, clean puncher, who won his first Irish title last year.

In a week of stories, some dominated by dubious scoring, Nolan had the traditional ending.

And what a happy ever after it was.

“It’s a nice way to top off the week,” he said.

“I was happy to have qualified for the Olympics but I didn’t want to make up the numbers today. I wanted to come in and get the gold medal. I left it late but it’s nice to bring home the gold.

“It’s been a great week. I’ve had four good wins under my belt I beat four quality opponents. I’ll take a week, 10 days off and then get back into it. I can take a lot of positives out of it – by qualifying and also the opponents I beat. It’s great preparation for the month ahead.

“Usually my first round is good but I got off to a slow start and I think I was lucky to be level. I thought I might be one down or two down but the last round I thought I’d won it by more than one.

“It’s funny the way it goes, you know. I was delighted. I realise it was close but I’m delighted to get to get the win.”

It was a tightly-fought bout and was scored just that way, the two locked at 3-3 after the first round. Nolan was typically using the jab and firing in point-scoring lefts but the German was busy too. A high guard and compact, Wojocicki was throwing lots of leather but his industry failed to knock Nolan off his stride or significantly alter his game plan.

A point down going into the final round and the German threw everything but Nolan kept his shape and distance, finally claiming gold after the tense countback.

“He rushed me in the last round,” said Nolan.

“He was moving a bit before that but it kind of suited me when he was coming on to me. I stuck out my left hand and was throwing the hooks so I think that probably suited me better than chasing the fight.