Michaela Walsh has secured a spot in the gold medal match at the Commonwealth Games after defeating Fiji's Jasmine Daunakamakama in the women's featherweight semi-final.
Walsh, a 33-year-old boxer from Holy Family, won the bout by unanimous decision, edging out a cagey first round with her experience telling in the next two rounds.
The four-time Commonwealth Games medalist will face India's Jaismine Jaismine in the final, but plans to enjoy her semi-final win by completing her Irish lesson on the language app Duolingo.
"I was actually quite nervous today, more nervous than normal, I don't know why but I went in and stuck to the gameplan," Walsh said.
She credited her opponent, who had trained with her in Belfast, with making her adjust her tactics and thank God, she did.
Walsh will be looking to win back-to-back golds after triumphing four years ago, having won silver in Glasgow in 2014 and at the Gold Coast Games in 2018.
Team Northern Ireland boxers have made a strong showing at the Commonwealth Games, with Michaela Walsh, Kaci Rock, and Jon McConnell winning their respective semi-finals.
Walsh and Rock will face India and England respectively in the gold medal bouts, while McConnell will face Wales' Orlando Holley-Sotomi in the final.
The Northern Irish boxers have been in impressive form, with Walsh and Rock both securing semi-final wins in thrilling fashion.
Rock, competing in her first Commonwealth Games, beat Scotland's Caitlyn Rainey in the women's welterweight semi-final by split decision.
"I'm ecstatic, that was such a tough fight and being down in the first round, the panic sets in but I just dug deep," Rock said.
She will now face England's Sacha Hickey for the chance to come away from her first Commonwealth Games with a gold medal.
Reigning champion Jude Gallagher will leave Glasgow with just a bronze after losing to Namibia's Tryagain Morning Ndevelo in the men's lightweight semi-final.
Gallagher, who claimed gold in Birmingham four years ago, was shocked by Ndevelo's fast start and narrow win in the first round.
He came storming out in the third, connecting with a number of big punches, but it wasn't enough to force the stoppage he needed.
Gallagher lost 3-2, a split decision that will be a bitter pill to swallow.
Garyn McAllister was forced to settle for bronze as he suffered a unanimous decision defeat in the men's heavyweight against Conor Williams from Wales.
McAllister will now look to regroup and prepare for the next stage of the tournament.
The Northern Irish boxers have been in strong form, with Walsh, Rock, and McConnell all securing semi-final wins.
Their performances will be a source of pride for Team Northern Ireland and a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Walsh will now face Jaismine Jaismine in the gold medal final, a bout that promises to be an exciting and closely contested affair.
The 33-year-old will be looking to win back-to-back golds and cement her status as one of the top female boxers in the world.
Her semi-final win will be a confidence booster ahead of the final, and she will be looking to make it a day to remember by completing her Irish lesson on Duolingo.
Source: Yahoo Sports