A recently crowned four-time World Champion and leading light in women's boxing, 26-year-old Katie Taylor from Ireland has long been the reference in terms of technique and quality in the Lightweight division. The 170cm tall, 5ft7in, orthodox fighter from Bray, County Wicklow, just south of Dublin, who took up boxing at the age of twelve, has won all before her since she came to prominence on the international stage in 2005 at the European Championships in Norway. A truly dedicated athlete, who has also represented the Irish national football team, Taylor seeks perfection in whatever she does. She is an example for all to follow and is on the fast track to becoming a boxing legend. We were keen to know more.

A four-time World Champion, how does it feel?
It feels amazing! It was a really special competition given that it was the only qualifier for the Olympic Games. It was great to qualify but it was also a fantastic feeling to retain my world title.

Tell us about the experience in Qinhuangdao and your relationship with the other competitors.
I am so focused during competition time that I often do not realise where I am. For me it was just another place and another competition. When I am in the zone, nothing else matters, I am purely concentrated on the job at hand. In retrospect, it was a remarkable experience for me personally. As far as the other competitors are concerned, we are all friends when the competition is over.

How has the reaction to your success been back in Ireland?
It has been pretty full on between press conferences and various media interviews, there has been so much attention lavished on me. I was paraded through my home town on an open top bus. The support of the Irish people has been great. Everyone I meet wishes me well, they are all excited about the Olympic Games being so close in London.

You took home the best boxer trophy from China, which is quite an achievement; do you think you have reached the peak of powers?
Taking that trophy proved that if you work hard you get results. However I always believe that there is still room for improvement, there is always things you can work on. I can still develop, get stronger, faster, I take nothing for granted. You must always strive to better yourself.

What boxers impressed you the most at the World Championships and why?
I was really impressed with the level of all of the boxers in China, it is great to see the improvements that have been made and how far the sport has come in such a short space of time. The girls have become physically stronger and more technical and tactically astute. I am sure that people will be blown away in London. I cannot however give you one boxer that really impressed me more than another.

You are now firm favourite for gold in London, how do you deal with the pressure?
It would be a bit foolish talking about medals for me now. There is pressure because in Ireland people know who I am and with my status comes expectations. I have a very specific mindset; I deal with every competition in the same way: one fight at a time.

Women's boxing at the Olympic Games, what impact do you think this will have on the sport?
The Olympic Games will have a huge impact on the sport; there is absolutely no doubt about that. This is the biggest stage of all, the whole world will be watching and people will be amazed by the standard of women's boxing. Boxing is the best sport in the world, the hardest; the training ensures boxers are amongst the fittest people on the planet. With women's boxing making its debut in London, there will be a whole new generation of fans who will want to take part.

You are hugely dedicated athlete, what is it that boxing brings you that makes it so special?
Boxing defines who I am, it is hard to explain why it is so special and I do not know what I would do without the sport. There is something pure about it, training hard, being one on one in the ring.

Tell us about your training. How much do you do and how do your sessions break down?
I generally train twice a day, five times a week, depending on what phase of training I am in. Of course there is cardio work, then you work on technique and power, sparring, speed work. Mixing up the training ensures your body never gets used to what you do so you can push yourself harder each time you train.

Do you have any special diet tips?
I do not have a special or a magical ingredient. All I know is that you should eat a healthy and well balanced diet over five small meals a day. That is the foundation of an athlete's training program.

Do you have any advice for the thousands of young boys and girls who wish to become World Champions just like you?
The main advice I can offer is plenty of hard work and dedication. The harder you work, the more results you will see. You get such a great feeling from boxing.

What is your motto?
God always gives me strength.

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