IRELAND’S MICHAELA WALSH has been defeated by Bulgaria’s Svetlana Kamenova Staneva in the Women’s Featherweight 57kg division at the 2024 Olympics.
Walsh bows out of her second Games after losing the last-16 bout 5-0 to the European champion.
“It was a very close fight, I don’t think the score reflects that,” Walsh told RTÉ afterwards. “I’m happy with my performance, I probably could have done a bit more but it was a very cagey affair.”
She was the last Irish boxer to enter the fray amidst a frustrating Games for the team: eight of the 10 — including Walsh’s younger brother, Aidan — were eliminated in their first outing, while just Kellie Harrington remains in competition.
This was a tricky, tactical fight, though one which Staneva comfortably won as she largely dominated her Belfast-born opponent.
Walsh came out swinging in red, air punching towards the camera as she entered the ring first. Staneva cut a relaxed figure as she prepared to move through the gears.
It was a cagey encounter early on; Staneva taunting and teasing with her lead jab. Few shots landed overall, but the rangy southpaw was more clinical and won on all of the judge’s cards. 5-0.
Round Two was crucial. Walsh struggled to find her rhythm but produced a promising rally around the halfway mark. Then, she lunged onto the canvas, and Staneva soon regained the upper hand. Walsh responded well but shipped two big shots in the closing stages, and Staneva again dominated the judge’s scorecards. 4-1.
For Walsh to win, she needed a stoppage in the last. That never looked a reality as the Bulgarian began to express herself. Walsh dug deep, but it was a bridge too far — even with a Staneva warning and points deduction amidst a fiery exchange late on. 5-0.
The duo embraced in mutual respect afterwards, though the result was never in doubt.
IN THE BLUE CORNER.
Overall scores? 30-27 times four, and 29-28.
An emotional Michaela Walsh admits she doesn't know what the future holds after her loss in her last-16 featherweight bout with Bulgaria's Svetlana Staneva#RTESport #Paris2024 #boxing
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 2, 2024
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“It’s always hard when you’re down in the first round,” Walsh reflected in her TV interview.
“It was a very cagey first round. We didn’t catch each other much. Trying to chase it, I thought I done a lot better in the second round but it was 4-1 to her. And I thought I had a brilliant last round, but I’m not a judge. At the end of the day, I just go in to try and be the best. Unfortunately for me, today was her day. She’s a brilliant opponent, brilliant person, and I hope she can go all the way.
“There’s huge respect. We would be two of the best at the weight, we’ve actually never boxed each other so it was great to have such an amazing opponent, but just unfortunately today, it wasn’t meant to be.”
Walsh was overcome with emotion as she wrapped up in front of the cameras. “I don’t know what the future holds,” the 31-year-old said, “but I’m so proud to be here with my brother and the rest of my team-mates.
“We’ll push Kellie all the way now to the final — and hopefully [she will win] gold.”
Bar the obvious 2 or 3 medal contenders, its been a very underwhelming Olympics from an Irish point of view so far. Boxing team were absolutely wiped out. Hoping for a better 2nd week overall with the track and field beginning.
@Ray Ridge: you need help
@Ray Ridge: being best olympics ever 5 medals and more to come
@Ray Ridge: will only get one medal track field id say but fantastic olympics so far you do know are best is 6 medals ever some years we get nothing
@Ray Ridge: I thought this one might cheer you up after the disaster of Paul/Fintan winning gold earlier
@Square: I thought Michelle Smith won 28 Olympic medals in 48 hours fado fado.
@Square: We have more than double the competitors in this Olympics than we had at the London Olympics 12 years ago. Let’s put things in perspective.
@Ray Ridge: to put in perspective, only NZ of similarly sized countries are ahead of us in the medals table at this stage. Sure, there were a few boxers expecting better returns but given how terribly corrupt that sport is, it’s a bit out of their control what happens there. If there’s one team I’d criticize, it’s the equestrian team. They seem to be going very poorly
@Ray Ridge: “hoping for a better week with track and field”? Are we going to miraculously become world beaters all of a sudden. Although we have made huge strides in athletics we have just the two world class athletes. Everyone else would be happy to make a final. So not sure how you’re hoping for a better second week in athletics?
Oh and by the way, it’s called athletics, not T& F….
@Michael Corkery: Well, corruption works both ways. Unless you believe they are out to get team Ireland specifically. Hong Kong has more medals than us so far despite having 100 fewer competitors. There’s perspective for you.
@Ray Ridge: Let’s put things into perspective. 40 of those athletes are ( 24 rugby sevens and 16 hockey ) so that’s 40 athletes for 3 possible medals so let’s put it into perspective. Double the athletes doesn’t mean double the medals when you really look at what gives us so many more athletes now
@Kevin Dillon: That’s what I’m chatting about. Not necessarily winning medals. Someone to make an impression other than our obvious 2 or 3 medalists.
@sean murphy: Sure, that’s the same for every nation who has teams competing in the Olympics. You’d swear we were the only nation who has sent teams out as opposed to individual competitors.
@Ray Ridge: we’re level with HK and 2 of their medals have an Irish tint to them – Siobhan Haughty grand niece of Charvet shirts himself
@Ray Ridge: but im talking about your point about double the athletes meaning there should be a lot more medals. How about this for perspective, London 2012 – 1 Gold medal, so far Paris 2024 – 2 gold medals (so far).
@Michael Corkery: we’ve same number of medals as Hong Kong
@Ray Ridge: yes we do, and they all had to qualify, so they aren’t there by chance…
@Michael Corkery: HK are ahead of us by virtue of alphabetical order!!
@Ray Ridge: let’s not
@Michael Corkery: funny he says he expecting more from the athletics when we all know its going to be very hard to get any medal in that
@Ray Ridge: no, we’re both ranked 14 2 golds + 2 bronze. And we actually have another medal (Kellie) not yet counted. You are taking the piss
@Ray Ridge: . Two of our boxers were robbed blind Ray. We’ve had finalists in several events already. It’s been an excellent Olympics so far and we may have more to come. You need to go back to Facebook.