Aidan Walsh's parents have expressed their immense pride after they watched their son make Olympic history as he guaranteed himself at least a bronze medal at the Tokyo games.
The 24-year-old Belfast boxer sealed at least a bronze medal as he defeated Merven Clair of Mauritius in the welterweight quarter-finals this morning.
He'll take on Team GB's Pat McCormack in the semi-final on Sunday with a chance to secure a silver medal at the very least, and earn an opportunity to fight for gold at the Kokugikan Arena.
And speaking on RTE Morning Ireland, Aidan's father Damian paid tribute to his son and daughter Michaela, who also represented Ireland in boxing at the games.
"Seeing Aidan with the bronze medal in the bag, and his sister there to support him all the way and his family back at home there to support him all the way, we're very proud of him," Damian Walsh said.
He added: ""Obviously Team Ireland have got behind him and believe that he can go for the gold medal.
"I've no doubt in my mind that he can do this."
And Walsh's mother Martina said she's "over the moon" and "so so proud" of her children after Aidan and Michaela's achievements in Tokyo.
Walsh won this morning on a split decision, and was deservedly ahead with all the judges after the first round as both boxers tried to pick off punches from distance.
But the second was closer as Clair had to come forward with some success, although Walsh still took it 3-2 on the judges' cards.
The third round was a case of Walsh staying out of trouble as Clair went for broke and he managed to do so to seal a medal.
Michaela Walsh took to Twitter shortly after the fight to pay tribute to her younger sibling's success, claiming the win brought her joy she's never felt.
She tweeted afterwards: "Me and my brother Aidan have trained together and grown together our whole lives. When me and him qualified for the Olympic Games on the same day, it was the most special day of my life, but watching him win an Olympic medal brings a joy to me I’ve never felt. That’s my baby bro!"
