Belfast boxier Brendan Irvine has officially become a double Olympian after the flyweight boxer was selected to represent Ireland at the rescheduled Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer.

The Rio Olympian secured his berth at the European Olympic boxing qualifier in London in March 2020, shortly before the event was postponed and his selection has now been confirmed. The boxing tournament in Tokyo takes place in the Kokugikan Arena and will run from Monday 26 July until Saturday 7 August.

Ireland has now achieved 65 quota spots across thirteen sports.

Twenty-four-year-old Irvine joins Canoe Slalom racer Liam Jegou and Jack Woolley from Taekwondo as officially selected Team Ireland members for the Games which run from the 23rd July to 8th August.

“I’m really delighted to be selected to compete in my second Olympic Games. It is always an honour to wear the Irish top, but to wear in an Olympic venue is particularly special. Tokyo will be its own unique experience. We may not have the loud cheers of Rio, but that won’t stop me.

“I am looking forward to getting out there and representing my country once more with pride,” said Irvine, who battled back from serious injuries which side-lined him for most of 2019 to secure his Olympic slot.

Double Olympic bronze medallist Paddy Barnes remains the only Irish fighter to have competed in three Olympics Games (Beijing, London and Rio).

However, Irvine will now join fifteen others who have competed in two Games.

Irish boxing's double Olympian roll of honour:

William Murphy (1924, 1928)

Myles McDonagh (1924, 1928)

Kevin Martin (1948, 1952)

Andrew Reddy (1952, 1960)

Harry Perry (1956, 1960)

Jim McCourt (1964, 1968)

Mick Dowling (1968, 1972)

Gerard Hawkins (1980, 1984)

Phil Sutcliffe (1980, 1984)

Kieran Joyce (1984, 1988)

Michael Carruth (1988, 1992)

Wayne McCullough (1988, 1992)

John Joe Nevin (2008, 2012)

Michael Conlan (2012, 2016)

Katie Taylor (2012, 2016)