Kellie Harrington finished off her week in Astana with another huge performance against Chinese light welterweight Weniu Wang. The Dublin 26-year-old ultimately fell 2-0 and was judged to have drawn the fight on one of the judge's scorecards.

Once again it was a typically fearless effort that earned her the first world silver medal ever won by an Irish woman. Katie Taylor’s impressive collection is five gold and one bronze but no silver.

“Now I know I’m up there. All I have to do is keep pushing. Never give up,” said Harrington. “I don’t think I’m the best. I know I’m the best and that’s the thing.”

Harrington has certainly been given a new lease of life and has kick started what promises to be a rewarding career in the 64kg division. While there was no argument about the final outcome, she was in the fight in all four rounds and unafraid to push forward and box.

“I believe because everyone here is making me believe and we are going to do some more work and next time I come out here it will be gold that I take home,” she added.

From the off Harrington was unafraid to engage with Wang edging the first round 10-9 on all three judge’s cards. The right jab and backhand were landing and she showed enterprise, enough at least to change one judge in the second round.

But Wang was a tough opponent and although Harrington was impressing one or two of the judges in each stanza, she went into the last needing a big score.

The final score of 37-39, 38-38, 36-40 for Wand swung it her way 2-0. Harrington was disappointed for missing the gold but can look forward to increased funding in Ireland and the hope of more medals at international level. Taylor now has a genuine companion.

“The silver, that will push me even more,” she said. “It will push me even more so I can come back and get that gold.”