Kellie Harrington Shortens For RTÉ Sports Award Following Tokyo Heroics

Kellie Harrington is being heavily backed to be crowned Irish Sportsperson of the Year after she defied the odds to win Olympic gold in the lightweight final on Sunday morning.

Brazilian favourite Beatriz Ferreira was ahead with three of the five judges after the first round, but Harrington triggered scenes of celebration back in Portland Row as she fought back to earn a unanimous decision and claim Ireland’s second gold medal in Tokyo.

Harrington was a 7/4 underdog going into the bout with the reigning world champion and an even bigger 10/1 to be decorated with the RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year award,

but Irish punters were quick to snap up the odds in the minutes after the fight, seeing the Dubliner plummet into 5/2 second favourite behind jockey Rachael Blackmore.

The Tipperary woman has enjoyed a stellar year in the saddle, becoming the first female jockey to ride a winner in the Aintree Grand National following a prolific week at Cheltenham, where she was crowned first female leading jockey in the Festival’s history.

The chances of her being named Sportsperson of the Year had fallen into a red hot 1/25 in what had appeared to be a one-horse race, but she has now been eased to 2/5, with Cork rowers Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy also in the mix at 8/1 following their gold medal in the double sculls.

*Prices correct at time of publication

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