Belfast’s Michaela Walsh says Team Ireland’s busy schedule in 2026 is “what we’ve asked for” as they prepare for stage two of the World Boxing Cup in China.
The action begins in Guiyang City on Monday and runs until the finals on 21 June with medals and all-important ranking points up for grabs.
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Following January’s Irish Elite Championships which saw her win a record-breaking 14th national title, Walsh enjoyed a silver medal finish at February’s Strandja Tournament before competing in the opening leg of this year’s World Boxing Cup.
With the defence of her Commonwealth Games title to come in August, plus September’s European Championships and a potential appearance at the World Boxing Cup finals in November/December, it is set to be a busy period before next year’s Olympic qualifiers.
“You can train as much as you want but you need competition to help you develop and progress,” Walsh said
“When Jon Mackey [national performance director] came in, he asked us what we needed and the most common theme was everyone saying we need competition and fights, so we are being given what we’ve asked for.
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“The powerhouses like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are fighting all the time, so you’re playing catch-up of you’re not getting competitions.
“Obviously, you want to go out and win but the more used you are to competing the better. With next year being [Olympic] qualification year you need as much competition this year and use it to our benefit.”
Consistent exposure to rivals is beneficial
Walsh lost out in her opening bout in Brazil when beaten by Alyssa Mendoza having beaten the American at Strandja just months before.
However, the experience of competing in her first World Boxing Cup, plus the sparring camp prior to the start in Foz do Iguaçu, will stand the 33-year-old in good stead, as it will the rest of the Ireland team as they share the ring with rivals on a consistent basis.
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“It was great to be part of it, so hopefully I can push on and do a bit better in China,” said Walsh who is setting her sights on becoming a three-time Olympian at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
“To get the exposure against the other countries is valuable too with the qualifiers coming next year as you can download the data on different opponents you can put in the box for later.”
Team Ireland
51kg: Daina Moorehouse (Enniskerry BC, Wicklow)
54kg: Jenny Lehane (DCU BC, Dublin)
57kg: Michaela Walsh (Holy Family BC, Belfast)
60kg: Adam Hession (Monivea BC, Galway)
65kg: Dean Clancy (Sean McDermott BC, Leitrim)
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70kg: Jon McConnell (Holy Trinity BC, Belfast)
70kg: Evelyn Igharo (Clann Naofa BC, Louth)
75kg: Tadhg O’Donnell (Jobstown BC, Dublin)
80kg: Josh Olaniyan (Jobstown BC, Dublin)
80+kg: Cliona D’Arcy (Tobar Pheadair BC, Galway)
90kg: Jack Marley (Monkstown BC, Dublin)
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