20 years and a day after the gold taken by Michael Carruth in Barcelona Ireland has another Olympic boxing champion.

Katie Taylor beat Sofia Ochigava of Russia to claim gold and she must now surely be considered one of the greatest Irish athletes.

She entered the ring with 13 gold medals to her name: 4 of which were from World Championships.

In May she won the 4th of those crowns with a victory over the same opponent she defeated today.

Ochigava had fanned the flames of controversy before this Olympic decider suggesting that her Irish nemesis was favoured by judges.

These jibes did not effect Taylor however who overcame the Russian on a scoreline of 10-8.

Behind going into the 3rd round by the slimmest of margins Katie overturned the deficit with a 4-1 score in the next 2 minutes.

There was an agonizing wait for the final announcement to confirm it but Katie Taylor was our Olympic champion.

President Michael D. Higgins is leading the tributes and congratulations to Ireland’s newest Olympic gold medallist.

In a statement President Higgins says Katie Taylor has lifted the spirits of the nation with her magnificent achievement and represented her country with courage, skill and pride over many years.

The President says the gold medal is a “just reward” for Katie’s dedication and commitment.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny has also congratulated Katie Taylor after her gold medal win.

“Katie Taylor is not only an Olympic champion, she is a force of nature whose pioneering spirit and boxing brilliance have seen her realise her personal dream of winning Olympic gold” he said.

“Amidst it all Katie’s warmth and humility shine through.  Her parents have been her guiding light but the exceptional relationship between Peter and Katie, her coach and father, has had a powerful impact on her career” he added.