VIDEO: Joe Ward reacts to securing World final and Olympic berth

Joe Ward realised a life long dream today by qualifying for the Olympics.

Not only did the Moate BC man, who succeeded Kenneth Egan as the king of the Irish light heavyweights, secure World Championship silver at the very least with victory over Ishod Rasulov of Uzbekistan at the AIBA World Elite Championships he booked his place on the plane to Rio.

Most felt if Ward would have qualified for London 2012 ago he had every chance of being a medalists, however a below par showing followed by a robbery delayed the big talents Olympic dream.

He is now, along with Paddy Barnes and Micheal Conlan Rio bound, but has the small matter of a World final to worry about before he can celebrate.

See Ward’s immediate reaction to his win today below:

Joe Ward speaking after his semi-final victory from Sportsfile on Vimeo.