Michaela Walsh continued her fine form at the European Games in Minsk by beating Russia’s Daria Abramova to reach the women’s featherweight final.
The Belfast fighter edged a 3-2 split decision win over a fighter to whom she had lost at the same stage of last year’s European Championships in Sofia.
Walsh, one of six Irish fighters bidding for final places on Friday, said: “It is all about taking steps towards Tokyo. I believe it is my destiny — it is what I was born for.”
Earlier on Gráinne Walsh was beaten in her semi-final bout by Poland’s Karolina Koszewska meaning she returns home with a bronze medal.
Meanwhile, in badminton, Chloe and Sam Magee guaranteed Ireland a seventh medal from the Games when they beat Robin Tabeling and Selena Piek of the Netherlands in two sets [21-19, 21-17] to book a semi-final place.
The Magees will now face Gabby and Chris Adcockof Team GB in the semi-finals.
Irish boxing schedule on Friday
Women’s Lightweight 60kg
Kellie Harrington v Agnes Alexius 5pm
Men’s Light Flyweight 49kg
Regan Buckley v Artur Hovannisyan 6.15pm
Men’s Bantamweight 56kg
Kurt Walker v Peter McGrail 6.30pm
Men’s Middleweight 75kg
Michael Nevin v Salvatore Cavallaro 7.45pm
