Aidan Walsh, who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics last summer, has secured at least a bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham today.
The Belfast fighter was one of three Irish boxers to guarantee Northern Ireland medals on Day 7 of the Games at the National Exhibition Centre.
Aidan Walsh advances to semi-final
Walsh advanced to the semi-finals by beating thee reigning European champion in the 71kg class. He claimed victory on a 3-2 split decision.
Aidan Walsh makes it a third guaranteed medal for NI boxers at the Commonwealth Games today with a 3-2 split win over England's Harris Akbar. Older sister Michaela and Dylan Eagleson already quarter-final winners today
— David Mohan (@DavidMohan99) August 4, 2022
Walsh's sister Michaela and Dylan Eagleson also secured podium places with wins today in their quarter-finals.
Michaela, who lost out in the last 16 stage of the Olympics last year, made history today by becoming Northern Ireland's most successful ever boxer at the Commonwealth Games, winning her third medal, and eclipsing the likes of Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan.
The world number five had a comfortable win over Botswana's Keamogetse Sadie Kenos in the 57kg class. She will now fight Phiwokuhle Sbusisiwe Mnguni of South Africa in the semi-final on Saturday.
Having lost her last two Commonwealth Games finals Walsh is determined to win gold this year.
“To have two silver medals is something that I am very proud of, to win a gold it is something that burns deep inside of me after losing out and being so so close,” she told Belfast Live recently.
This time I hope I can use that drive and go one step further and take home the gold.
Eagleson from Bangor defeated Armando Rugoberto Siqauque of Mozambique by unanimous decision in the 54kg class. He will look to upgrade the colour of his medal on Saturday when he fights against Scotland's Michael McHale.
World champion Amy Broadhurst fights for a medal this evening. She will meet Zambian opposition in the quarter-final of the 60kg class. Clepson dos Santos Paiva also returns to the ring for his 51kg quarter-final against Jake Dodd of Wales.
Jude Gallagher, Carly McNaul and Eireann Nugent have also all secured at least bronze medals for Northern Ireland at these Games.
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