Jim McCourt, a boxer from Belfast who won a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games two years after winning a bronze at the Olympics, passed away at the age of 79.
Following a contentious 3-2 loss to Soviet Union’s Velikton Barannikov in their lightweight semifinal match, McCourt was awarded a medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
The bronze won by the Belfast boxer in 1964 was the only medal won by Ireland. A year after winning the European bronze medal, McCourt earned the gold medal at the Kingston Commonwealth Games.
The career of the Immaculata club player also featured seven Irish senior championships. Despite Ireland’s well-known pugilistic heritage, many believe that McCourt was among the best Olympic boxers ever, possessing a skill set that few of his countrymen have been able to equal either before or after.
Jim McCourt (boxer) wife: Is Jim McCourt married?
Jim McCourt was married to his wife, Mary McGrath. Unfortunately not much is known about his wife. In 2011, McCourt was named into the Irish Amateur Boxing Association Hall of Fame. He carried Ireland’s flag at the Mexico Olympics.