Walsh loses to Traore in Paris

There was disappointment for Aidan Walsh in Paris on Sunday morning when his second Olympics ended at the hands of Frenchman Makan Traore in the round of 32 of the 71kg category.

The West Belfast man claimed bronze at the Tokyo Games three years ago but will not return to the podium this time around as the home crowd watched their man turn the tables after Walsh had dominated early on.

Just being in Paris was a huge achievement for the 27-year-old Holy Family man, whose mental health struggles have been well documented in the build-up. Indeed, this time last year he was a retired boxer, but he mustered the strength to return and earn his place at the Games.

“There is no commiseration,” he told RTE afterwards.

“I’m winning in life and I’m happy to be here and competing – it’s a privilege. The journey over the last two years, to be here is a miracle for me. Regardless of whether I win, lose or draw, it is what it is. I’m healthy, happy, I have great people around me and this struggle doesn’t take away from what I’ve achieved in my career.

“I just want to say thank you for the support back home. I’ve probably let some people down, but it’s a privilege to be here.”

Lots of perspective for Aidan Walsh after his loss to Makan Traore in the 71kg bout. #RTESport #Paris2024
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 28, 2024

He certainly didn’t disappoint anyone as he faced a hostile reception from the home crowd, who fell almost silent at the end of the first round.

It was extremely cautious early on, with both men looking to counter-attack, but it was Walsh who got the better of those exchanges, his quick hands landing several as Traore sought fresh air and, in doing so, he opened the scoring.

Traore knew he needed to press the action to turn the tide but was caught out by a counter-attack early in the second round. The home favourite’s pressure wasn’t paying off until midway through the round when he managed to break through with a right hand but a fine counter-attack from the Belfast man would break Traore’s head.

It looked as though the Belfast man had got the better of it again, but four of the five judges didn’t see it that way and suddenly it was all to play for in the final three minutes.

A big hit on the button from Traore unsettled Walsh early in the third and it was a huge change of pace as the Irishman looked to be holding the ball and, having been warned on a couple more occasions soon after, had a point deducted, which left him with a huge task on his hands to finish strong.

But Traore was timing his right hand well now as he had figured out the puzzle with Walsh unable to turn the game around and with that point lost it wasn’t looking good and indeed it was Traore’s day as he won on four of the five cards with one draw.

“Personally, I’m never defined by what I do in the ring,” the philosophical and emotional Walsh continued.

“It (points deduction) wasn’t even frustrating. Lately it seems to be a big deal about holding back, but I’ve been doing it my whole career and getting away with it. It seems like in the last few months they’re taking a good look at it, but I’m grateful to be competing as I retired a few years ago.

“I thought I was doing well, but it is what it is. He’s a great opponent and to get to the Olympics you have to be a good boxer. You need a bit of luck in your career and I’ve had plenty of it, but today wasn’t the day.

“My medals in sports don’t mean much to me. My mental health and the people around me mean more to me in life.

“I’ll see where my career goes now, but I have a lot of good things in my life that I didn’t have four years ago and good people. I’ll just weigh it up and see what happens next.”