Savannah Marshall edged closer to booking a place at her second Olympics with an opening victory in the Women's World Championships in Kazakhstan.
The Hartlepool middleweight scored a unanimous-decision win over Azerbaijan's Elena Vystropova - whom she had previously beaten to win the world title in 2012 - to advance to the last 16.
Marshall, who needs to reach the semi-finals in Kazakhstan in order to qualify for Rio, will next face another former foe in India's Pooja Rani, whom she eased past in her opening bout at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Marshall's Great Britain team-mate Chantelle Cameron will continue her quest for Olympic qualification when she takes on Mira Potkonen of Finland in the lightweight division on Saturday.
Katie Taylor is also in action against Agnes Alexiusson of Sweden as the Irish star bids to bounce back from her shock loss at last month's Olympic qualifiers in Turkey and book her place in Rio.
Saturday also sees Nicola Adams - who has already qualified to defend her Olympic crown - begin her quest for her first world title as she faces Dilnozakhon Odiljonova of Uzbekistan in the flyweight division.
Source: PA
