The new world champion, who is also the reigning European champion, received a rapturous reception on arrival from boxing fans, friends and well wishers.

 

Olympic Council President Pat Hickey said that she had brought great honour to Ireland and to the sport of boxing.

"Hopefully she will be able to compete in the London Olympics of 2012," he said. "At present, the International Olympic Committee is looking at the possibility of including women's boxing in the 2012 programme, but nothing is definite at present. Katie would be an ideal candidate for the Irish team and a definite medal prospect"

The president of the IABA, Dominic O'Rourke, and IABA high performance director, Gary Keegan, described Taylor's achievement as a proud moment for Irish sport adding that they were delighted with the reception she received.

 

Taylor, from the St Fergal's club in Bray, clinched the world lightweight crown at the 4th women's world boxing championships in India on Thursday last after beating Argentinean, Annabelle Farias 31-14 in New Delhi.

 

The victory over Farias was Taylor's fifth win in six days.

 

She said: "I am absolutely thrilled to have won a gold medal in India and I would like to thank everyone for showing up to greet me this morning. It was a long tournament and  Farias was probably by toughest opponent in the Championships.

 

"I though that the Russian girl would be a lot stronger in the semi final as she was the reigning world champion, but she was very wary of me because I beat here in the European final in Poland in September.

 

"Overall it was a great tournament for me and I am very proud to be coming home with a gold medal."

 

Taylor left Dublin Airport for an official open bus top tour around her home town of Bray where she turned on the Christmas lights.