Midlands boxer chosen for Olympic qualifiers
Midlands boxer Gráinne Walsh has been selected to represent Ireland in the upcoming Olympic qualifying tournament in Italy. The Tullamore native, who has held the national elite champion title in the 66kg division for the past two years, will be part of an eight-strong Irish squad competing in March.
The tournament will feature boxers from all Olympic weight divisions, with Ireland already securing several qualification spots for the Paris 2024 Olympics. These include reigning lightweight champion Kellie Harrington, as well as Tokyo Olympians Aoife O’Rourke, Michaela Walsh, and newcomers Jack Marley and Dean Clancy, who earned their spots at the 2023 European Games.
Gráinne Walsh’s inclusion in the squad comes after Amy Broadhurst narrowly missed out on Olympic qualification in the 66kg weight category in the European Games. Walsh, now fighting out of St Mary’s BC in Tallaght, Dublin, will now have the opportunity to secure her place at the Paris Games in the upcoming qualifiers.
The tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy, will offer four quota places in each weight division contested, which means that a quarterfinal victory will secure a place at the Olympics. A total of 248 boxers, including 124 women and 124 men, will compete in boxing at the Paris 2024 Olympics. France, as the host nation, already holds six automatic quotas, while nine Universality Places will be awarded.
The Irish squad also includes Daina Moorehouse, Jennifer Lehane, Sean Mari, Jude Gallagher, Aidan Walsh, Kelyn Cassidy, and Martin McDonagh. The team, led by High Performance Head Coach Zauri Antia, has undergone thorough preparations and is determined to fulfill their Olympic dreams. The athletes will finalize their training at a camp in Assisi, Italy, hosted by the Italian Boxing Federation.
High Performance Director Tricia Heberle expressed confidence in the team’s prospects, stating that five qualification spots have already been secured, with a target of eight qualifications for the Paris Olympic Games. Heberle praised the athletes’ commitment, the coaching staff, and the world-class training environment provided by the Sport Ireland Institute.
The selected boxers have worked diligently over the past six months, supported by their club coaches and the Paris Pool Coach program. Their selection for the World Olympic Qualifying tournament is a testament to their dedication and improvement. With their sights set on Paris 2024, these athletes are ready to showcase their skills on the global stage.
The news of Gráinne Walsh’s selection has been met with excitement and anticipation from the boxing community. As the countdown to the Olympic qualifiers continues, fans and supporters will be eagerly following the progress of the Irish team, hoping for success and Olympic glory.
