Aidan Walsh: Olympic medallist back in ring after 'real mental struggle'

Aidan Walsh celebrates winning a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games with his sister Michaela

Tokyo medallist Aidan Walsh says it is an "absolute privilege" to be back in boxing after a break of 14 months.

The Belfast fighter won his opening Olympic Games qualifier on Tuesday as he targets a place in Paris.

"Even before going in the ring I was wondering, 'What am I doing here? How did it come to this?'," said Walsh.

"It took a lot of work to get back to boxing and it was a real mental struggle. I'm just happy to be back."

• Walsh feels 'extremely lucky' to have won Olympic bronze

Walsh impressed in overcoming United Arab Emirates opponent Husain Alkandari with a first-round stoppage to secure a last-32 place in the 71kg category at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Italy.

A semi-final place is required to secure a spot at this summer's Paris Games with his sister Michaela, who missed out on a medal in Tokyo, among five Irish boxers already qualified for the Olympics.

Sibling support

Walsh paid tribute to his sibling as he made his return to action after help from his family and sports psychologists.

"Five months ago I was sitting on the chair at home, drinking a can of Coke and watching TV, and now I'm here trying to qualify for the Olympic Games," he told Olympics.com after beating Alkandari.

"My sister's my role model. I'll never reach the heights she's reached. She was unfortunate in Tokyo, but she's doing absolutely amazing

"I'm looking forward to seeing her this week and for me, I don't really care if I qualify for not as long as she's qualified and I hope that she gets her medal.

"Obviously I would love to join her, but at the same time I would love to see her win an Olympic medal, and that's partly why I'm back to get a free ticket to Tokyo.

"The Olympics changed my life, and I will be forever grateful to the Olympic Games because it's something that I will remember for the rest of my life.

"The help and support that I got after that was absolutely amazing, and I was surrounded by good people. I'm just happy to be back in boxing and just loving sport again."