Tokyo Olympics: Karriss Artingstall is GUARANTEED at least a bronze after beating Skye Nicolson

Great Britain boxer Karriss Artingstall is GUARANTEED at least a bronze medal after defeating Australia’s Skye Nicolson by split decision to reach the semi-finals of the Olympics

  • Kariss Artingstall won her quarter-final to guarantee herself at least a bronze
  • The Brit edged out Australia’s Skye Nicolson by split decision in a tight contest
  • She will now fight Japan featherweight Sena Irie in the semi-final on Saturday 

Great Britain boxer Karriss Artingstall has guaranteed herself at least a bronze medal after edging past Australia’s Skye Nicolson to book her place in the semi-finals.

Artingstall, who is still a registered soldier in the Army, put in a determined performance as she nicked the contest on a 3-2 split decision after a pulsating three rounds of action.

The Brit was the aggressor throughout and regularly found a home for her southpaw left as Nicolson focused on trying to box on the backfoot and counter.  

Great Britain’s Karriss Artingstall is guaranteed a bronze medal after winning her quarter-final

Artingstall will now face Japan’s Sena Irie in the semi-final on Saturday after she defeated Maria Claudia Nechita in an equally close fight. 

The featherweight’s victory was the third for Team GB on Wednesday, with Ben Whittaker and Lauren Price also progressing through to the quarter-finals. 

The 26-year-old admitted she was ‘over the moon’ to have ensured that she’ll leave Tokyo with a medal, with both losing semi-finalists receiving a bronze medal in boxing.

Asked whether she deserved to get the nod over Nicolson, she said: ‘I thought I had done enough. I picked up in that last round massively.

‘This is a tough category… If you are not on your A game on the day then you are not getting the win, it’s as simple as that.’

The 26-year-old was given the nod over Australia's Skye Nicolson in a tight contest

The 26-year-old was given the nod over Australia’s Skye Nicolson in a tight contest

Artingstall dup deep in the final round to nick it and claim a 3-2 split-decision victory

Artingstall dup deep in the final round to nick it and claim a 3-2 split-decision victory

Nicolson was inconsolable and struggled to fight back her tears after being eliminated.

‘It’s heart-breaking,’ she said following their fight.

‘I need to take some time off now to see what happens next. But I’ll be back bigger, better and stronger next time.’

A clearly distraught Nicolson admitted afterwards she was left 'heartbroken' by the verdict

A clearly distraught Nicolson admitted afterwards she was left ‘heartbroken’ by the verdict

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