Boxing: 'It's been a privilege' as double Olympian Walsh retires
Aidan Walsh says 'it's the relationshpis that mean the most' after he announced his retirement from Boxing at the age of 28.
The double Olympian and both Olympic and Commonwealth Games medalist brings to a close a glittering 17-year career representing his club, county, and country with distinction.
Aidan competed at the highest levels of boxing and etched his name into the annals of Irish sporting history with a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, his memorable victory over Merven Clair of Mauritius in the quarter-finals standing as one of Ireland’s great Olympic moments.
In June 2024, he became a double Olympian, qualifying for the Paris Games. Aidan is also a multiple Commonwealth Games medalist, winning gold at the 2015 Youth Games, silver at the 2018 Gold Coast Games, and gold in Birmingham in 2022.
Coached from childhood by his father, former boxer Damien Walsh, Aidan won his first title, the 2008 Ulster Novice Boy 1 Championships, at just 11 years old. Since then, he has claimed numerous Antrim, Ulster, and National titles across all age categories.
Internationally, he wore the Irish vest at tournaments and round robins against Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Sweden, England, Scotland, Kazakhstan, and Lithuania, as well as at the 2013 European Junior Championships, the 2019 Men’s World Championships, and two of Europe’s most prestigious multi-nations competitions: the Strandja Memorial Tournament and Nicolae Linca Golden Belt.
Alongside his sister Michaela, he shared the journey on many of boxing’s biggest stages, competing together at two Olympic Games and two Commonwealth Games. Both have spoken of the privilege of living their sporting dreams side by side.
“One highlight is to do with my sister. In the moment, it’s hard to appreciate those moments but looking back now, to do all that, to go to all of those countries, to go to two Olympic Games, two Commonwealth Games with my sister it’s just an absolute privilege," says Walsh. "It’s something that I hope to tell my kids and grandkids. I couldn’t have done it without Michaela being there, without my family.”
“Sport’s been good to me. Sport Ireland has been good to me, the Olympic Federation of Ireland, SportNI and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association have been really good to me. Above all, regardless of medal success or any type of achievement, I think its the relationships that I’ve made that really mean the most and are what I’ve come to appreciate more than the medals," he adds.
"When I talk about that, I get quite emotional. I’ve felt very lucky in my career I’ve had really good people around me. I’ve been really blessed. I’d like to think those relationships will continue to flourish over the next two thirds of my life. “
A passionate advocate for mental health, Aidan has been open about the personal challenges that led him to step away from the sport for 14 months.
His return in late 2023 was remarkable, boxing six times in eight days at the Olympic World qualifier in Bangkok to secure his place at his second Olympic Games. He described that journey as “the toughest experience of my boxing career, but my proudest moment in sport.” An IABA-qualified coach, Aidan is currently studying for a Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology, reflecting his commitment to giving back to the sport and helping the next generation thrive and he is determined to give as much back to the sport as possible.
“I feel so lucky in my career. I’ve been helped by really good people. I got the best support services and the best advice and the best care. I’m now hoping to do a PhD next year. I would love to do it within Irish amateur boxing. Myself and Dr Paul Gaffney (Sport Ireland Clinical Psychologist) are writing a book on our work over the last number of years on how to help young athletes coming through with tips and tools and suggestions.
"I’d love to write my own book after that; I have a number of personal experiences and stories that could really contribute to young people and Elite sport. They would be my goals.”
“A lot of the clubs do a lot of great work. Holy Family, Holy Trinity, they would be two of the most dominant clubs in Belfast; if you look at the history of these clubs, and Mickey Hawkins and Gerry Storey and a number of other coaches around Belfast and what they have done for Irish boxing. It's amazing.
"Those coaches and those clubs contribute a huge amount to the success of Irish Olympic boxing. There’s a number of clubs within Belfast who do such a good job and really influence athletes from grassroots right up to Elite level performance. They all contribute to Irish boxing immensely”