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New Zealander Alexis Pritchard (in red) in action in London - Source: Reuters
Kiwi boxer Alexis Pritchard has made a winning start to the London Olympics, beating Tunisia's Rim Touini 15-10 to advance to the quarter-finals of the lightweight division.
Pritchard held a reach advantage over her opponent and employed the jab effectively to hold off the feisty Tunisian.
The New Zealander won the first round 4-3, before Touini fought back with some powerful punches in the second to take a one-point lead at the halfway point.
However the bout was turned on its head in the decisive third round when Touini was penalised giving Pritchard two extra points as she won 5-1.
From there the 28-year-old was able to defend and stay out of trouble in the final round to win it 4-2.
Earlier flyweight New Zealander Siona Fernandes bowed out to the much more experienced Stoyka Petrova of Bulgaria 23-11 to end her debut Olympic campaign.