By Jonny Stapleton

THE tears in Katie Taylor’s eyes revealed just how much Olympic qualification meant to  the Irish Boxing legend- but just in case you needed clarification Ireland’s latest Olympian described  securign a London 2012 spot as a ‘dream come true’.

The greatest female fighter on the planet booked a place in the greatest sporting stage of

Taylor with coach and father Pete Taylor

all after receiving a walk over, over Mihaela Lacatus in the quarter-finals of the 7th AIBA World Women’s Championships and Olympic qualifiers in Qinhuangdao, China this morning.

The realisation of a life time ambition ensured an emotional response from the 25 year old Bray woman as the fifth member of the Irish Boxing Olympic squad expressed her delight.

“It’s a dream come true, I just can’t believe it really. It’s just years and years of hard work really to get here, now I’m going to be an Olympian.”

The Queen of Irish boxing may have bagged Olympic qualification, but Taylor also wants to bring a gold medal through customs when she leaves China.

Typically, Taylor instantly set her sights on claiming her fourth World title and being crowned World champion in an Olympic year.

“We’ll enjoy this walkover today and this qualification but tomorrow it’s back to focusing on the semi-finals,” she said. “It’s important to go into the Olympics as the current world champion so that’s going to be a huge motivation as well.”