"They say that this athlete may be the greatest ever to come out of Ireland."
That was the introduction that Katie Taylor enjoyed as she was introduced on stage to receive the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) award for best female athlete at the inaugural European Games, which took place in Baku during the summer.
The reigning Irish, European, World and Olympic champion was at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington DC to receive the prestigious award.
Speaking on stage after that most-complimentary introduction from German fencer and Olympic silver medallist Claudia Bokel, Taylor said: “It’s an absolute privilege to be here in the room with so many incredible athletes and incredible people.
“I’m just so honoured and humbled to receive this award. I’d like to thank ANOC for such a great evening and such a great honour and I’d like to thank the Olympic Council of Ireland and Pat Hickey for their continued support.
“I’d also like to thank my family. Their support and encouragement throughout the years has been unfailing to me really. I’d be nowhere without them. This is just the icing on the cake for me this year.”
Elsewhere, Monaghan's Christina McMahon missed out on a chance of becoming world champion as she was outpointed in the WBC Super-Bantamweight title fight in Brooklyn last night by Alicia Ashley.
