Michaela Walsh Claims Bronze at European Elite Boxing Championships in Sofia

Michaela Walsh secured a bronze medal in the women’s 57kg featherweight category at the 2026 European Elite Boxing Championships held in Sofia, Bulgaria. The Belfast boxer’s campaign ended after a closely contested semi-final on Thursday, September 24, where she was edged out by Hungary’s Vladislava Kukhta by a 4-1 split decision.

The semi-final bout featured contrasting styles and tactical exchanges. Kukhta, a World Boxing Cup silver medallist from Brazil, took an early lead with volume punching, while Walsh relied on measured counterattacks and footwork. The judges’ scorecards reflected the tight nature of the fight, with three awarding Kukhta the win and two siding with Walsh. Despite a strong final round performance, Walsh narrowly missed out on a spot in the final.

Earlier in the tournament, Walsh guaranteed herself a medal by overcoming Bulgarian triple Olympian Stanimira Petrova in the quarter-final on September 23. The contest was evenly matched through two rounds, but Walsh dominated the third round to earn a unanimous 5-0 decision, stunning the home crowd and securing at least a bronze.

Walsh, a two-time Olympian representing Northern Ireland, has enjoyed a busy and successful 2026. She claimed silver medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Strandja Tournament earlier in the year, making this European bronze another significant addition to her achievements.

Reflecting on her semi-final, Walsh described the fight as tactical and cagey, noting the difficulty in breaking down Kukhta’s style. She expressed pride in her performance and is now focused on preparing for the Olympic qualifiers scheduled for next year.

The European Elite Championships, running from September 15 to 26, brought together the continent’s top boxers in Sofia for the inaugural event under European Boxing’s organisation. Walsh’s podium finish confirms her status as one of the leading featherweight fighters in Europe and adds to Northern Ireland’s strong presence at the championships.