Four-time World champ Katie Taylor has scooped her 5th Irish Times/Irish Sports Council Sportswoman of the month award.

Katie Taylor

Katie Taylor was today been named The Irish Times / Irish Sports Council ‘Sportswoman of the Month’ for May, following her fourth successive world title win at the 2012 AIBA World Women’s Championship in China.

The Bray – born lightweight boxer secured her fourth title after beating Russian southpaw Sofya Ochigava 11-7 in a tense and technical final in Qinhuangdao, northern China. Taylor will now go forward to represent Ireland in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Commenting on her success Taylor said, “I’m delighted to be going into the Olympics in the best shape I’ve ever been in and as the current world champion. I cannot believe it has happened but this has been my lifelong dream to box in the Olympics and promote women’s boxing. I will improve again over the next few weeks and I hope to come back with that gold medal for my country.”

This is the 25-year-old’s fifth time to win a Sportswoman award and she will battle it out against the other monthly winners in December 2012 for the overall Sportswoman of the year title.

Established in 2004, the aim of the Sportswoman of the Year awards is to recognize the abilities and achievements of women in Irish sports. The awards run over a 12 month period, with the judges selecting a winner each month for her ability to excel at sport.

From the 12 monthly winners, the overall Sportswoman of the Year is selected and announced in December. The winner is decided by a judging panel, which is represented by individuals from The Irish Times, RTÉ, and the Evening Herald.

Further details on the Sportswoman of the Year Awards can be found on www.irishtimes.com/events/sportswoman/.