Kellie Harrington has won Ireland’s fourth medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

The 31-year-old Dubliner beat Imane Khelif from Algeria in the lightweight quarter-final at the Kokugikan Arena on a unanimous points decision. Harrington had the win wrapped up after two rounds with the judges scoring the contest 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 29-29 in favour of Harrington.

She is now through to Thursday’s semi-final and at worst she is guaranteed a bronze medal.

It is Ireland’s second boxing medal at the Games, their 18th in total in the sport since 1952 and the second won by an Irish female boxer since women were first allowed compete in the Games nine years ago.

Even though the 2018 world champion and number one seed at this tournament was the overwhelming favourite against the 22-year-old who had no record of international achievement, Harrington still had to do the business for nine minutes between the ropes.

The Algerian had a significant height advantage over Harrington. Khelif started aggressively and wasn’t afraid to move forward while Harrington was content to box from the back foot. But the fight became more tactical as the round progressed. It was close but four of the judges gave the Irish champion the round.

Harrington could now afford to relax slightly knowing that the Algerian had to attack. Harrington comfortably avoided most of her shots but was reluctant to commit herself. She still landed the better shots and all five judges gave her the round to put her in an unassailable position with a two point lead on four of the judges’ cards. Once she avoided a knock down in the final round she was through to the semi-final of the Olympics.

A tearful Harrington said she was delighted to give the Irish people something to celebrate after securing Ireland’s fourth Olympic medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

“I just feel emotion,” said Kellie moments after her unanimous quarter-final win.

“I was just a very emotional person. I know I give off the impression that I’m a hard B. But I am very emotional deep down inside. Times like this make me cry.

“I am very relieved and happy. Happy for the coaches here who have put the work in, my club coach Noel Burke at home, happy for my friends and family in Ireland. Just happy that I can give people back home something to celebrate."

She acknowledged that her clash against Khelif wasn’t a spectacular fight and revealed her opponent had stuck her tongue out at her during the contest.

“It (the fight) wasn’t anything to write home about. I knew what I had to do to win and that’s a champion’s mindset where they do what they have to do to be able to get the rounds and scrape by.

“She was a very, very awkward opponent. She was sticking her tongue out at me in there. I enjoyed it because when somebody starts doing that you know you have got into their head. You know that they are going to start throwing shots and missing and she did.

“She was throwing them like from Easter in her arm to the length of Christmas. I am just happy to get the job done. So, I will just recover now and get ready for my next opponent. And again, like I said what will be will be. This is just a fantastic journey it is not my destination.”

Harrington will now meet a familiar foe, Sudaporn Seesondee from Thailand, in Thursday’s semi-final. She edged her quarter-final against 20-year old British fighter Caroline Dubois on a split 3-2 decision. Harrington beat Seesondee by the narrowest of margins when winning the 2018 world title in New Delhi.