A tearful Katie Taylor admitted that she has had a “very, very tough year” after suffering a quarter-final defeat to Finland’s Mira Potkonen in the women’s lightweight boxing at Rio 2016.
Taylor was the favourite going into the bout but was beaten by a dogged and determined Potkonen on a split decision.
The final judges scorecards were level, with one judge giving Taylor the fight 39-37, one giving it to Potkonen by the same margin and one scoring it 38-38 before giving the fight to Potkonen.
On the balance of the fight, it appears as if the right boxer progressed but nevertheless, an emotional Taylor was left massively disappointed by the result.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, the Bray fighter said: "It's very disappointing. It has been a very tough year. I suffered a lot of losses this year and it's very hard to take.
"The Olympics is a dream of mine. I came in here and prepared very well, I gave it my best shot but it just doesn’t happen sometimes. Sometimes the plans in your heart aren't God's plan.
"I just have to thank everyone for the all support and prayers, I’m so humbled by that."
Katie Taylor admits it has been a very difficult year as she reflects on losing Olympic crown https://t.co/mrA7PmWJhl
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 15, 2016
Analysing the bout, Taylor revealed that she believed she did enough to get the decision and was surprised that the judges went against her.
"I thought she probably won the second round, but I thought the other three rounds went my way," she said. "Again it’s very close when you’re in there and it’s hard to call the fight.
"I should be beating those girls. I don't know what to say about it really. Those girls shouldn't be beating me I don’t think."
This was Taylor’s first fight on the Olympics after she got a bye straight into the quarter-finals but the Bray women dismissed the suggestion that the lack of a last 16 opponent left her rusty, or that her opponent was sharper having had a previous fight.
"I can’t blame that, I prepared very well in the lead up to this fight and I felt very well prepared coming into this first and I felt very confident.
"I think everyone of the Irish boxers came into this competition very well prepared but it’s hard to keep that level of consistency going and every fight is a very close fight."
