LEAH GALLEN heads for Bulgaria this week looking to upgrade the bronze medal she won at her last European Championships.
The Raphoe ABC woman, a five-time Irish champion, is Ireland’s welterweight representative at the European Youth Championships, having won a bronze medal at the 2018 European Junior Championships in Russia.
“I’m hungrier than I was last year,” Gallen told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub, ahead of the trip.
“I wasn’t happy with the medal I got last year and I want to bring back a better medal this time.
“I’m really looking forward to it.
“Last year was a great experience. It was a whole different environment. It’s an under-18 championships, so I’m lucky to be going out.”
Gallen defeated Finja Bree last year to earn a place on the podium and will again aim to be among the medals.
Gallen always asks hard questions of herself.
She said: “I’ve never been happy coming out of the ring. Hopefully I can perform to my best. I’m hungry for more and more all the time.”
Gallen has fought in three-minute rounds for the first time this year and has also moved up to welterweight.
She said: “It’s tough, but I moved up a weight and I’m finding it easy to make the weight. It was very tough at 66kgs.
“I feel faster now. The girls are bigger and it’s a different experience with power. I’m hoping my speed will make me better.”
Listen to the full interview below ..
