Following her shock defeat at the European Olympic qualifiers in Turkey last month, Katie Taylor looks to banish those demons by taking another step towards Rio at the Women's World Boxing Championships today.
Taylor has earned a bye into the last 32, where she will face Sweden’s Agnes Alexisson. She needs three wins to secure her place in the 60kg semi-finals, which in turn gives her the opportunity to go and defend her Olympic title later this summer. She's expected to enter the ring at around 2pm.
Following that unexpected loss to Yana Alexseevna, Taylor issued a defiant statement to remind her followers that her focus on getting to Rio was undisturbed by the upset.
"I'm obviously very disappointed. I always go to these competitions with the aim of bringing back a gold medal.
"The loss came at the wrong time for me today but she's a fantastic boxer and you can't take it away from her. She deserved it today but I'll come again. Thank God I have another chance to go and qualify and I'm going to do everything I can do to book my place in Rio."
She also posted a message on Twitter, demonstrating her sense of clarity despite suffering a blow to her Rio hopes.
It wasn't my day today. I'll come again. Thanks everyone for your prayers and support. Much appreciated.
— Katie Taylor (@KatieTaylor) April 15, 2016
Elsewhere, fellow Irish fly-weight Donna Barr also begins her campaign today in Kazakhstan.
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