By Ian Gordon

Lauren Price is one win away from securing her place at the Tokyo Olympics after winning her opening bout at the European qualifiers in Paris.

The 26-year-old comfortably beat local fighter Davina Michel by unanimous decision to reach the quarter-finals in the middleweight category.

With four qualifying spots up for grabs for the Games, Wales’s World and Commonwealth champ knows victory in her last eight fight on Saturday will see her on the plane to Japan.

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“It has been my dream to go to the Olympic Games since I was eight-years-old, so now that the opportunity has finally come round, I am going to do everything I can to make sure it happens,” said Price ahead of her fight.

“It has been a long time coming. I am excited and a bit nervous, but I am looking forward to getting the job done.

“My preparation has been good and I have been hitting PBs (personal best) on our runs recently so I am feeling fit and ready.”

The Bargoed ace will face Anastasiia Chernokolenko in the quarter-finals.

Price has had to wait more than a year to secure her Olympic spot after the qualifiers in London last year were abandoned after a few days due to COVID-19.

The former footballer returned to action earlier this year winning silver then bronze at tournaments in Hungary and the Czech Republic.