Irish boxer Katie Taylor has qualified for the London 2012 Olympics following a no-show from her opponent at the World Amateur Championships in China.
Taylor, 25, was due to meet Michaela Lacatus of Romania in the quarter-final, but she pulled out due to a neck injury, which gave Taylor a walkover into the semi-final.
There are just three Olympic places available for European fighters in Taylor’s 60kg lightweight division.
Taylor secured her place after French fighter Estelle Mossely lost her quarter-final in the event in Qinhuangdao.
The three-time world champion from Bray will face Tajikistan’s Mavzuna Chorieva in Friday’s semi-final at 8am.
Taylor beat Tunisia’s Rim Jouini and Saida Khassenova of Kazakhstan in the previous rounds.
An emotional Taylor said it was her lifelong dream to box in the Olympics and she said she cannot believe it has happened.
Her father and coach Peter gave her a kiss and a hug and said he was overcome with pride.
