Michaela Walsh made history at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow by becoming the first Team NI athlete to win medals at four consecutive games and the first boxer to ever win four medals in the ring.
The Holy Family boxer, who won gold in Birmingham in 2022, was outpointed in the Women’s 57kg final by Indian World champion Jaismine Lamboria and despite the defeat Walsh was rightly proud of her achievements.
“I don’t really know what to say to that, being a history maker. It’s crazy when you think about it, but overall I’m just really happy with my performance,” said Walsh.
“It was a really, really close fight. It was just unfortunate for me, the judges favoured her. I worked out a little bit more and then I was down on three of the cards going into the last round, so I just had to go for it.
“Unless you’re getting a 10-8 round in the last round you’re not going to win, but overall it’s been an amazing experience. I’m really proud of my performances throughout the whole Games.
“Four medals. If you’d said to me 12 years ago I’d be back on the podium again with another silver I’d have said you’re crazy, so to be able to achieve that is amazing and like I said, I’m actually quite happy.
“I’m usually sad when I lose, but I’m really, really proud of my performances here and just how I’ve conducted myself. I’ve got the Europeans in six weeks’ time, so I’m going to use all the experience that I have from this.
“Especially seeing that she’s (Lamboria ) the best right now at my weight it just shows me where I’m at right now and what I need to work on and develop.
“I can’t be disappointed. Obviously, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want gold, I went out to achieve that, I felt I had the tactics right, but I came back after the first round.
“I’m at 3-2 down. I was obviously seeing that the judges just favoured her a little bit more. I’m going to have to go back, watch it and see what I can improve on.
“This isn’t the end of me, this is the springboard on to the next thing, the Olympic qualifiers are next year, I’m really looking forward to that and getting the spot for Los Angeles.
Walsh jokingly hasn’t dismissed the idea of joining the pro ranks.
“We’ll try our best to get to LA, then after that we’ll make a decision,” she said.
“I need to get on to Jake Paul. He’s the man with the money, he’s signing all the women. Hopefully he sees me out there and wants to sign me in the next two years. We’ll wait and see.”
