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Zaur Antia Steps Down as IABA Head Coach, Endorses Damian Kennedy

His tenure delivered 10 Olympic medals in a 22-year run that closed with new world podiums for Team Ireland.

Overview

  • Antia informed Ireland’s high-performance boxers this week that he has retired, ending more than two decades in the program.
  • Across five Olympic cycles, Irish boxers amassed roughly 154 elite medals under his guidance, including 10 at the Games.
  • His final assignment was the 2025 World Championships, where Aoife O’Rourke won gold and Grainne Walsh and Patsy Joyce took bronzes.
  • He identified Damian Kennedy as the likely successor, pointing to Kennedy’s roles at Paris 2024, the World and European events, the final Olympic qualifiers, and Team NI’s Commonwealth success.
  • He says a consultancy role with the IABA is on the table, with a decision expected in the new year.