THE time has finally come for Jennifer Lehane – though, at different moments, she wasn’t sure it ever would.
First came the European Games last summer, and an opportunity that slipped through her hands. When the World Olympic qualifier in Milan went the same way earlier this year, it was time for some serious soul-searching.
“In hindsight I probably put a lot of pressure on myself,” she said.
“For me, I need to enjoy myself to be able to perform to the best of my ability. Looking back, I probably didn’t let myself enjoy the build-up as much.”
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That all changed for Bangkok in June where, striding into the last chance saloon, Olympic qualification was at last secured as Lehane rampaged through the 54kg division to grab the golden ticket.
Even though that was at 7am back home in Meath, the Champagne was quickly popped.
“It’s never too early,” she smiles.
And so, on Tuesday afternoon she walks into the North Paris Arena to face China’s Yuan Chang, the dream destination of a journey that took her through a few significant backroads along the way.
Initially competing in martial arts, Lehane was previously a kickboxer and first competed internationally in Taekwondo at 15, winning silver at the 2013 Junior World Championships, bronze in the 2017 World Championships and claiming back-to-back European titles in 2018 and 2019.
This, though, is something she couldn’t have imagined.
“It’s just a dream come true,” said the 25-year-old, a primary teacher before taking time out to focus on her boxing career.
“I’ve gone through the past few years thinking I’d love to do this, or hopefully I can get to Paris. But now the imposter syndrome has gone out the window - I feel like I belong here.
“I’m going into these Games to soak it all up and enjoy the experience. That doesn’t mean I won’t be giving it 100 per cent to get through the fights and hopefully bring home a medal.
“I’m relaxed and excited at the same time.”
And, against eighth seed Chang – who boxed in the weight division below at the Tokyo Olympics – Lehane hopes to carry that momentum on.
“I learned from each of those qualifying tournaments and brought that forward into Bangkok.
“It’s just made me hungrier for it, and a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter.”
