Joe Ward represented Ireland in the light-heavyweight division at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. He was eliminated in the round of 16 by Ecuador’s Carlos Andrés Mina on a controversial split decision, having received two points deductions from the referee during the bout.

Ward came to Rio as one of the pre-tournament favourites, having been among the most decorated Irish amateur boxers of his generation. He began boxing at the age of six at Moate Boxing Club and went on to win three European Championship gold medals – in 2011, 2015 and 2017 – becoming the first Irish boxer to win three European senior golds and one of only two Irish boxers alongside Katie Taylor to win more than one European Elite gold medal. He also won silver at the 2015 and 2017 World Championships and bronze in 2013. His 2011 European gold, won at the age of 17, made him Ireland’s youngest ever senior European boxing champion.

He comes from a family with deep involvement in boxing – his cousins include fellow Rio 2016 Olympian David Oliver Joyce and John Joe Joyce, who represented Ireland at Beijing 2008.