Walsh issues warning to pioneer Adams as Leeds duo guarantee medals in the ring

Adams eased into the semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games as she outclassed and floored Sri Lanka’s Erandi de Silva on her way to a unanimous decision win.

But no longer is the gold medal a mere formality for Adams as the revolution she did more than most to fuel yields increasing competition across all three women’s weight categories. Northern Ireland 21-year-old Michaela Walsh joined Adams in the semi-finals with a points win over Jamaica’s Sarah Joy Rae and is likely to face Adams in the final.

Walsh is the first to admit the success of Adams played a significant part in shaping her own career, but she believes it will soon be time for a new star on the women’s scene.

Walsh said: “Nicola is 31 and I’m a kid compared to her.

“I’m a big fan of hers but if we do meet I can go all the way.”

Adams will face Canada’s Mandy Bujold in the last four tomorrow and warned her rivals that, while her sport has grown in strength significantly in the two years since the London Olympics, so has her own ability.

“I have really grown into my technique and my style,” she said. “I am working on new things all the time and everything is in full flow at the moment.”

Leeds bantamweight Qais Ashfaq guarnateed at least a bronze medal with victory over Scotland’s Joe Ham in yesterday’s quarter-final.