Irish boxer Aidan Walsh has secured at least a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics by defeating Merven Clair by split decision in the quarter-finals of the welterweight division.
Walsh's 4-1 decision on the scorecards sets up a semi-final against Britain's Pat McCormack, and guarantees him Ireland's third medal at the Olympics (as both losing semi-finalists receive bronze medals).
The 24-year-old Belfast boxer remained disciplined and composed throughout his three-round bout against Mauritian Clair.
After a strong opening round, Walsh evaded his southpaw opponent and produced some sharp counters in the second and third rounds at Kokugikan Aren.
It was confirmed afterwards that Walsh also suffered a scare over a potential ankle strain.
"He's fine, just a little bit of a scare," OFI chief executive Peter Sherrard told RTE.
"They've had a good look at it and feel that he'll be ready and fighting fit so that's the important thing and great news ahead of that big fight."
Earlier on Friday morning, Irish boxer Kellie Harrington advanced to the quarter-finals of the lightweight division with a unanimous decision win over Italy's Rebecca Nicoli.
The Monaghan native, who is Ireland's flag-bearer at the tournament, produced a classy and assured performance to set up a quarter-final against Algeria's Imane Khelif.
After dominating the first two rounds, Nicoli needed something extraordinary to turn the fight in the third, but Harrington saw out the round comfortably to march through to the last eight.