Kellie Harrington is set to progress to the Women’s Lightweight Boxing final at the Paris Olympics. 

The defending champion defeated her long-time rival Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira at tonight's semi-final at the North Paris Arena.

She will now take on China’s Yang Wenlu in the final on August 6th. 

Kellie Harrington following her semi-final win against Beatriz Ferreira in the 2024 Paris Olympics., 03/08/2024. Image: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Following her win, she said she "can't believe" she is reaching the final again.

"I think [Ms Ferreria] tried to outbox me," she said. "At one stage she hit me with her hand and I genuinely thought my tooth was after coming out.

"She's an incredible fighter, a World Champion pro now."

Discussing her upcoming final, she said, "it's only sport at the end of the day".

"If I’m happy, like the way I was happy in there today, then I’ll be happy," she said.

"Whether I win or lose, I'm still coming home to a brilliant family, an absolutely brilliant community... I honestly can't wait to get home and celebrate this with them."

She told the Irish crowds chanting her on they were "brilliant".

Fans watched her win the semi-final at Diamond Park, near where Ms Harrington grew up.

Kellie Harrington head coach Zaur Antia after winning against Angie Paola Valdes Pana of Team Colombia in the Olympics women's 60kg quarterfinal. Image: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ms Harrington is now guaranteed at least a silver medal - but is on track to become Ireland's first two-time Gold medallist in boxing.

She was already guaranteed a bronze medal following a unanimous decision win over Colombia's Angie Paola Valdes in the quarter-finals. 

Kellie Harrington following her semi-final win against Beatriz Ferreira in the 2024 Paris Olympics., 03/08/2024. Image: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

It will be Harrington's second Olympic medal following her quarter-final win in Tokyo, defeating Ms Ferreira.

She also becomes the first Irish woman to win a medal at two Olympic Games. 

Ms Harrington’s win follows a successful week for Ireland in the 2024 Olympics. 

Olympics success for Ireland

Team Ireland has already secured three gold medals in boxing, rowing and gymnastics.

Rhys McClenaghan became the first Irish person to win a Gold medal in Men's Pommel Horse today.

Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy defended their Gold title in Men’s Rowing Lightweight Double Sculls yesterday - making Mr O'Donovan the first Irish person to win three medals in a row.

Swimmer Daniel Wiffen also made history on July 30th becoming the first Irishman to ever win an Olympic gold in swimming.

Swimmer Mona McSharry also secured a bronze medal for Ireland in the Women's 100-Metre Breaststroke beating Italy's Benedetta Pinato by just one-hundredth of a second. 

Daire Lynch and Philip Doyle also took home bronze at the Men’s Double Sculls final on August 1st. 

With six medals secured so far, Ireland has already equalled the 2012 record for most medals won at a single Olympics. 

Nielsen’s Gracenote Virtual Medal Table has projected Ireland to win 10 medals in Paris – two gold, three silver and five bronze. 

At the last Olympics in Tokyo three years ago, Ireland won four medals – gold and bronze in boxing and rowing.