Michaela Walsh all but secured Olympic qualification in Paris tonight - while victorious Kellie Harrington faces her moment of truth in her attempt to make Tokyo.
It was a five-star first day for the Irish boxers team in the qualifiers, with all five hopefuls who were in action getting over their first hurdle.
Walsh, who turns 28 on Saturday, beat European and EU bronze medallist Mona Mestiaen 4-1 and due to her world ranking points, even if she loses to next opponent Irma Testa and then a box-off, she is almost certain of passage to her first Olympics.
Former world champ Harrington has a tough task in facing top pro Maiva Hamadouche of the host nation on Saturday, the reigning IBF super featherweight, after the Dubliner brushed aside Aneta Rygielska with a unanimous victory in the lightweight division.
There is no second chance for Harrington, however, so her hopes are all on coming through this quarter-final tie.
Earlier, current European middleweight champion Aoife Walsh beat Viktoryia Kebikava, welterweight Aidan Walsh easily saw off the challenge of Wahid Hambli and light heavyweight Emmet Brennan beat Uke Smajli.
All three are also one win away from Tokyo.
So far the only Irish boxer guaranteed to be at the Games is Brendan Irvine, although Kurt Walker's world ranking points will also be enough for him to make it.
