FOUR Commonwealth Games, four medals – and Michaela Walsh hasn’t ruled out being back in the hunt in Ahmedabad in 2030.
The west Belfast woman’s bid for a second straight gold medal came to an end when she lost out to India’s Jaismine Lamboria in the featherweight final on Saturday morning.
It was a cagey encounter against a much taller, southpaw opponent, and twice within the opening minute the referee brought the pair together and instructed them to box. Walsh had to try and force the issue, attempting to seize any opportunity to get inside the long Lamboria jab.
And she did so on occasion, but not enough to sway the judges, who all favoured the work of the reigning world champion in a fight of very fine margins.
Michaela Walsh now has four Commonwealth Games medals – one gold and three silver. PICTURE: PA
Having first competed in Glasgow 2014, the 33-year-old now has one gold and three silvers in an impressive collection. And while qualifying for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 are the immediate priority, don’t be surprised if Walsh is on the plane to India in four years time.
“I’ll never say never,” she smiled.
“I actually didn’t think I was going to come to these, and I’ve already had such a busy year, so I didn’t know whether the Commonwealths was on the cards or not. I’ve got the Europeans on six weeks, but I’m so happy I did go for them.
“I’m just really happy with how I performed during the competition, I’m really enjoying my boxing at the minute. Even if I came here and didn’t win a medal, I’m proud no matter what.
“Getting a medal is a bonus – I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want gold, who doesn’t want gold? And to stand on top of a podium. But I feel like today I gave the best version of myself today, and that’s all I can ask for.
“I still feel like I had the tactics right and just, unfortunately for me, the judges gave it her way today.”
A third Olympic Games, though, is the dream – and Walsh is determined to earn another chance to emulate younger brother Aidan, who brought home bronze from Tokyo 202.
“The Olympics is definitely on the cards – Aidan has bragging rights over me with an Olympic medal, so I have to get one back on him.
“An Olympic medal has always been my dream and if I get it, I get it, if I don’t, I don’t. But you know me by now, you know I won’t give up – I’ll do everything I can to be standing on the podium in LA.”
Commonwealth Games silver medallist Kaci Rock alongside champion Sacha Hickey and bronze medallists Elizabet Eve Bryson of Australia and Caitlin Rainey of Scotland. PICTURE: PA (Steve Welsh/PA)
Kaci Rock, too, came up short against a taller southpaw – this time England’s Sacha Hickey claiming the welterweight title on a unanimous decision after another cagey encounter.
It has been an impressive tournament for the 23-year-old, who was happy to prove a few people wrong by earning a spot on the podium.
“It’s disappointing of course, but looking at it as a whole, it’s something I never thought I would have done a couple of months ago.
“Never give up on yourself – a lot of people probably would have doubted whether I could medal even, coming into this competition, and I’m a silver medallist. On the day there wasn’t a huge lot in the fight, but I gave the best version of me and that’s all I could have asked.
“I’m proud of myself, and I believe in myself – I’ve always believed in myself, and so has my small circle around me. But there’s still so much to push on for.”