Women in Sport: Team Ireland Olympic boxer Michaela Walsh

Michaela Walsh is an Irish featherweight boxer on track to represent Team Ireland at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Belfast boxer secured her place in her second Olympic games after winning a bronze medal in the European Games in Poland, and will be one of three female boxers competing in Paris, alongside Kellie Harrington and Aoife O’Rourke.

Here, Michaela Walsh shares her sporting story so far…

Earliest sporting memory?

When I first walked into the boxing gym. It had that classic old smell but there was something intriguing about it. I was the only girl there and once I first hit the bag that was me hooked.

How did you become involved in your sport?

I’ve been involved in sport my whole life, before I started boxing I was involved in multiple sports, my dad had me involved in everything. I played soccer, badminton, judo, running, swimming, Gaelic, basketball and more.

What message would you like to share with young women and girls interested in pursuing a career as an athlete?

Just go for it, if it is something you enjoy and it brings you happiness then go for it. You meet so many great people along the way and get to make memories for life.

Proudest moment so far…

My proudest moment so far was definitely qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games alongside my brother Aidan. I boxed first then Aidan was on around an hour after me and we both got to share the special moment together. I don’t think nothing will ever top that as it was both our childhood dream.

The female athlete I admire most is…

I would admire Katie Taylor the most as she changed the game completely. She created the pathway for younger girls like me and made it possible for boxing to be in the Olympic Games. Having someone like that as a young girl looking up to was huge as it made me realise that it is something that I can go and achieve if I work hard. She has done the same in professional boxing which is amazing and built another pathway for other woman who want to go down that route

Favourite sporting memory…

My favourite sporting memory was definitely seeing my brother Aidan winning a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympic Games. Seeing him achieve that after we’ve been on the same journey together for so long was something very special to me.

Do you think there is still a stigma around women in sport?

Boxing for women has come a long way since I began and it’s fantastic to see boxing clubs across the country full of young girls and women. We can only be so thankful for the likes of Katie Taylor and others who have paved the way for women to now have the same opportunity as men in sport and you can see the woman availing of those opportunities in the medals we’re bringing home to Ireland.

What is the biggest barrier to driving visibility in women’s sports?

I would say social media coverage of women’s sports would be a barrier but we’ve made progress in that field and we can acknowledge the fantastic work of Hersport who provide a platform for women’s sports to be up front and centre, all across the country.

The biggest stigma/misconception that exists in women’s sport is…

That women’s sport isn’t as entertaining as men’s — you would want to see the atmosphere at the Europeans Games for Kellie Harrington and Aoife O’Rourke’s finals, it was electric.

If I wasn’t an athlete I would be…

I’m not really sure what else I would be as I’ve been doing sport all my life, I think possibly I would be a coach, because I love being involved in sport and love to teach.

My favourite pre-fight meal is…

Pasta and chicken.

My pre-fight playlist includes…

Always have to have Coldplay on list.

My daily routine is…

When I’m in training my routine is mostly always the same. Wake around 7:30am and check weight, get breakfast. First training session is usually around 10-10:30. Have lunch after then chill out for a bit and nap if I can. Second session is usually at 3, then I get dinner after. That’s training done for the day so just try to chill out for the night and usually have tea with the girls then get an early night.

My biggest sporting goal is…

To be standing on the podium in the Olympic Games.

Sports brands I love (Irish or otherwise)…

My favourite would have to be Nike, my wardrobe is full of it.

Biggest splurge to celebrate a win…

A big pizza and a tin of coke.

How do you mind your mental health?

I always try to prioritise my mental health. I take time to myself when I need it, I talk to the people who care the most about me. Sometimes taking myself away from boxing at times, just things like going for coffee with friends and doing things non-sport related. I find reading really helps me, so I always try to keep my mind stimulated on other things.

My three desert island beauty products are:

I would be lying if I said I had three. But if I had to pick I’d have to keep it simple, soap, hair brush and hair gel.

I need 8-10 hours of sleep a night because….

Without it I would not be able to get through my training sessions, and the crankiness would take over.

Confidence, to me, is…

Being secure in yourself. Not caring what other people think. Confident in being who I am and being happy in who I am.

How do you get over a bad performance?

I try not to dwell on it. There is more to life than boxing and a bad performance doesn’t define me as an athlete or as a person. Everyone can have a bad day at the office but that doesn’t make you a bad athlete. I think how you react to it says more about you than the performance itself.

Lastly, why is sport such an integral part of community, on a club, local, national and personal level?

I think sport changes the world, it brings people together, it gives people purpose and helps people grow. It brings communities together, it gives people something to celebrate, something to be proud of.

Imagery via SportsFile