Darren Sutherland secures place at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
Monday 14 April 2008

Darren Sutherland

Darren Sutherland a DCU Sport Scholarship athlete and an 2^nd year BSc Sports Science and Health student has secured a place in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Darren put in a superb performance as he won the 75kg category of the AIBA Olympic qualifiers for European boxers in Athens on Friday the 11^th of April 2008. Darren won his quarter-final (38-17) against Zoran Mitrovic of Serbia in the middleweight division. In doing so Darren guaranteed himself two shots at Olympic qualification. Three Olympic places were on offer for the two finalists, and a one place from a box off of the losing semi finalists. A great fight in the semi-finals secured Darren a place in the 2008 Olympic Games without having to face a fight off for the final place in the middleweight division.

In the finals Darren secured the gold medal for Ireland by beating Jean-Michael Raymond of France 12-3. Darren is the current national 75kg champion as well as being ranked 3^rd in Europe and 10^th in the world at 75kg.

AIBA Olympic qualifiers: Darren Sutherlands Results
Preliminary, April 7th Results
/75Kg: Darren Sutherland (Ireland) beat Niko Jokinen (Finland) 5-0
Last Sixteen, April 8th Results
/75Kg: Darren Sutherland (Ireland) beat Eneste Glodi (Norway) 27-7
Quarter Final Results, April 9th
75Kg: Darren Sutherland (Ireland) beat Zoran Mitrovic (Serbia) 38-17
Final Results, April 11th
75Kg: Darren Sutherland (Ireland) beat Jean-Michael Raymond (France) 12-3