Aidan Walsh edges closer to Olympic qualification following a notable triumph over Ukraine’s Yuri Zakharieiev in the last 16. Zakharieiev, a global champion at the age of 21 in 2021, couldn’t stop the tenacious Belfast boxer. Competing in the 71kg category, Walsh garnered his third win in a span of four days, defeating his opponent 4-1. It is worth noting that, regardless of the outcome of his match with Jordan’s Zeyad Eashash, Walsh still stands a chance of qualification for Paris. This is due to the fact that five boxers from his category will be chosen and there is a box-off among the quarter-finalists who were defeated.
Walsh, 27, who previously secured a bronze medal in Tokyo, is not the only one striving for a spot in Paris. Grainne Walsh, competing in the welterweight category, has made it to the last 16 by defeating Hyo Sun Hwang of North Korea 5-0. Walsh, from Tullamore, must achieve a spot in the semi-finals to secure her ticket to the Olympics. Meanwhile, super-heavyweight Martin McDonagh also advanced after halting Doan Minh Hieu Ngoc in the second round of the last-32 competition, following three standing counts issued to the Vietnamese opponent.
In other news, ex-world champion Amy Broadhurst, born in Ireland, but now competing for Britain, has reached the last 16 after defeating Terri Smith from Canada. She needs to progress to the semi-finals to represent Britain in the Olympics athletics in Kellie Harrington’s 60kg category.