ROSIE Eccles and Lauren Price stand on the cusp of fulfilling their Olympic dreams – but first they must make it through qualifying to book a ticket to Tokyo later this year.

The Pontypool ABC duo are part of a 13-strong GB Boxing squad taking on the qualifiers in London, which start today at the Copper Box Arena and run until March 24.

Qualification will be guaranteed for Caldicot welterweight Eccles and Ystrad Mynach middleweight Price should they reach and then win a quarter-final in their respective divisions.

It certainly won’t be easy, but with Price still buzzing after her world title success last year, and Eccles full of confidence following a hugely promising 2019, it could be a big 11 days for Wales.

“There are a few nerves but not too many,” said Eccles, 23, who will be cheered on by dad John and her two sisters.

“The thing about these qualifiers is that you can’t mess up. If you have one bad day then it’s goodbye to the Olympics, so you’ve got to be on it from the start.

“You need to find the right balance of being pumped up and not putting too much pressure on yourself.”

Reflecting on the hard work that has gone into getting her to this point, she added: “My dad used to worry about me because I was doing so much.

“I used to train with Wales three or four times a week in between my studies and then I would work as well.

“I always said it was because there would be something at the end of it, and if you are handed things on a plate you don’t appreciate what you have as much.”

Price, meanwhile, goes into the Road to Tokyo qualifying event on the back of a magnificent last two years.

The crowning glory was that world championship victory, on appeal, over Dutch ace Nouchka Fontijn out in Siberia.

“I just need to keep making sure all the boxes are ticked and I’m 100% prepared and focused when I get in there,” she said.

“It’s going to be like a European Championships, so it will be tough because everyone wants to qualify for the Olympics.

“It would obviously be amazing to qualify, but it’s not just about qualifying, it’s about going to Tokyo and winning a medal.”

Eccles will be in action first tomorrow when she faces 69kg fourth seed Saadat Dalgatova from Russia, while 75kg top seed Price takes on France's Davina Michel on Tuesday.

The qualifiers in London will go ahead despite many other sports postponing and cancelling events because of the spread of coronavirus.

A statement issued by the organisers read: “Our approach to the coronavirus situation is guided by the advice provided by Public Health England (PHE) and the latest information indicates that the competition is able to get under way this weekend.

“We are in regular contact with PHE and recognise that the situation may change, but as things stand we can confirm that the draw for the tournament will take place today and the tournament will get under way as planned on Saturday.

“The health and wellbeing of participants and spectators is of the utmost importance to us and all of the teams have been told to adopt regular handwashing.

“If any of their group begins to exhibit cold or flu symptoms they are advised to self-isolate, stay indoors, avoid contact with other people and contact the LOC’s Chief Medical Officer who will be able to advise on their symptoms and any further medical assistance.

“We have also introduced a series of additional measures including routine temperature testing as part of the daily medicals for competing boxers which will provide us with additional data on the boxers and enable us to track and identity any changes.

“For spectators, we have increased the provision of hand sanitisers and urge anyone that has a ticket, or is intending to attend the Boxing Road to Tokyo Olympic qualifier, to follow the Government’s advice which is updated daily.”