Siblings Aidan and Michaela Walsh are enjoying every moment of their boxing success as they both prepare to take gold in Sunday’s Commonwealth Final.
The Northern Irish duo both won their semi-final bouts on Saturday, with Aidan beating Garan Croft of Wales while Michaela won by unanimous decision over Phiwokuhle Sbusisiwe Mnguni of South Africa.
Both fighters are guaranteed to match their silver medals on the Gold Coast in 2018 and have the chance to move on to gold in Birmingham.
Michaela takes on Elizabeth Oshoba of Nigeria in her featherweight final and is brimming with pride to be able to share her Commonwealth experience with her brother.
She said: “Obviously everyone here wants to win a gold medal, especially me, but I’m just in the moment, like Aidan, and it’s just one step at a time.
“Regardless of the result, I’m so proud to be in the Commonwealth Games final with my brother. Not many people can say that, so I’m so happy.
“Where we are now is a phenomenal achievement – obviously we want to go further, but right now we’re just building on the wins we’ve had tonight and tomorrow will be what happens, but we’re ready. ”
Aidan, who won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, echoed his sister’s sentiment as he prepares to face Mozambique’s Tiago Osorio Muxanga in the light middleweight final.
Aidan Walsh, left, also won Olympic bronze in Tokyo (Peter Byrne/PA)He said: “It’s great because you can travel the world with someone you love on a daily basis, who I’ve been training with since I was nine, so again, what more could you ask for? I would be greedy if I asked for anything else!
“I’m not even thinking about the gold medal fight. I know I keep saying I appreciate this and I appreciate that, but I appreciate being here, but no matter what, it happens.
Although the two siblings fought on Saturday, they were unable to see each other due to their preparation and recovery requirements for their own fights, although Michaela revealed that they were still able to support each other from far.
“Well Aidan, I don’t think Aidan even came to see me!” she joked.
“He’s obviously back to recover after the fight he had, but I’m sure he was screaming at the TV when I got run over with that right hand that I got caught with.
“I did not come [to see Aidan fight]I was shouting from the bedroom, I’m sure there are a few noise complaints!
Aidan Walsh will face Tiago Osorio Muxanga in Sunday’s final (Peter Byrne/PA)“He performed so well and I’m so proud to be in the final with Aidan and the rest of my team-mates.
“I want to enjoy the moment, obviously it’s something I’ve been dreaming about for many years and if I do it with my brother it will be amazing.”