Irish medal hopeful Kellie Harrington has sealed her spot at the Tokyo Olympics after a win at the European qualifiers in Paris today.
The Dublin boxer came into her clash with French professional and current IBF super-featherweight Maiva Hamadouche under pressure, knowing that a loss would signal the end of her Olympic hopes.
But the 2018 world lightweight champion can start her preparations for Tokyo later this summer after outclassing her opponent from the first bell.
All five judges scored the bout in Harrington's favour (29-26, 29-28, 29-27, 29-28, 29-28) after an aggressive opening two rounds and a competitive final round.
Elsewhere, Dubliner George Bates came close to qualification, but was pipped in a 3-2 split decision by Azerbaijani former world champ Javid Chalabiyev
And tomorrow Michaela Walsh can officially confirm her place at the games with a win, although even a loss could prove enough given the ranking system in place for qualifiers.
Brendan Irvine and Kurt Walker have already booked their tickets to the games in what is shaping up to be a strong team of boxers heading to Tokyo.
