Walsh collected her 14th National Elite title at the National Stadium on Saturday night, extending the all-time Irish record she set on her own last year when she moved one clear of Kellie Harrington.
The west Belfast featherweight earned a unanimous decision against Sarah Cunningham. “I really wanted not only to win this tournament, but I wanted to show that I’m continuing to get better,” confessed Walsh. “I haven’t won an international medal now in two years, so this year I really want to set my mark on the international scene.
“I still believe I have a lot left and I don’t want to walk away from amateur boxing until I know I’ve reached my full potential. I’m not here to just be collecting titles. I’m here to become a World and Olympic champion.”
But she confided that she was struggling mentally ahead of the Paris Games, which were to be her second after competing in Tokyo. “Being honest, I was going to walk away from boxing,” said the 32-year-old. “I think I’ve found a way to enjoy it.”
Her brother, Aidan, won Olympic bronze in Japan and had his own struggles with the sport but he made a successful late return to qualify for Paris. That development, plus the priceless input of psychologist Paul Gaffney, gave Michaela the impetus to carry on.
Aidan’s recent retirement has also helped her cause and he was ringside with her at the weekend. “I’m kind of lucky in the way because he’s been able to put a lot of time and effort into me,” she said.
Olympic bronze medallist Aidan Walsh and father Damian had been supporting Michaela Walsh in her preparations. Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
“I’ve noticed that in my preparation, confidence, body language. I think it’s added so much more to my game. He doesn’t have to worry about himself now and I don’t have to worry about him fighting.
“I knew for a while it was coming. Aidan’s not only a competitor and athlete, he’s my baby brother. His mental health means a lot more to me than a medal.
“He’s happy now and he’s able to help me a lot. Having him with me is going to be a huge, huge bonus.
“So I’m able to fully be me and to have the support of not only him but my dad there. Aidan put a lot of time into me over Christmas – it was tough and there were times I wanted to kill him.
“But when you get good performances like that and I’m boxing to the standard that I want to be boxing at, it’s worth it.
“I’m in a great space now physically and mentally. I just want to carry that momentum into the rest of the year. If I lost tonight, I lost, so what?”
The heartbreaking death of another Belfast fighter, Paul McCullagh junior, after a short illness also brought perspective. “Aidan was good friends with Paul,” Walsh said. “I think it shows you there’s more to life than boxing.
“If you win, you win, if you lose, you lose. There’s going to be someone after me. It gives you a bit of perspective on life. Aidan always says sport is usually a third of your life, for me it’s two-thirds, I’ve been doing it that long. Life’s more important. As long as I’m happy, I’ll still be here trying to do the best I can.”
The Holy Family star knows that the LA Games are creeping ever closer, but insisted: “I’m not focussing on Olympics, Olympics, Olympics.
“Before, I always set my mind that I have to be an Olympic champion and then, if you don’t reach that, you feel worthless in a way. That’s not what life’s about.
“I just want to live in the moment, take it fight by fight. If I achieve something at that level, I do achieve it. I’m proud of my career, no matter what. If I won and got my 14th title, or didn’t and won 13, it’s special.
“It takes the pressure off as well, just to enjoy it. Especially with Paul, just enjoy life while you’re still here.”