COLCHESTER’S international boxer Lewis Richardson hopes that a Tokyo triumph at an Olympic test event in Japan can be a breakthrough moment in his quest for a place in the Great Britain squad at the Games next year.

Having been selected as one of only four fighters to represent Team GB in a trial event at the venue that will host the Olympic boxing at the 2020 Games, the 22-year-old from Colchester showed he can be a top challenger next year by claiming the gold medal.

Richardson was fighting in the 69 to 75kg middleweight category and beat Australia's Adrian Cammarano on a unanimous points decision in the semi-finals before another points win against Yuito Moriwaki from the host country in the final on the following day.

It was a superb display from the former Thomas Lord Audley student and he hopes the British team coaches will have been suitably impressed.

He said: "I needed a breakthrough as I've been there or thereabouts this year and have fallen just short in a couple of competitions, but this could be the breakthrough one and what better place to do it than at the Olympic venue.

"I don't want to put too much pressure on myself as it's a very competitive weight category that I'm in and there are several of the other guys who have bouts coming up, but I feel that I've done my bit and I'll see what the coaches and support staff have to say."

The Colchester boxer said his Tokyo triumph was due to be his final competitive outing of 2019 and he was now targeting the British team's Olympic qualifiers in March next year ahead of the Games in August.

Having received a bye through the first round of bouts, Richardson highlighted his talent by engaging in two very impressive performances against two high-quality opponents and he was delighted to bring the gold medal back to the UK.

He added: "I got a bye through the quarter-finals and that allowed me the opportunity to have a good look at the Australian that I fought in the semis.

"I felt confident that I could beat him and I took control from the start.

"I fought at my tempo and range and the score cards showed that I won every round on every judge's card.

"Then in the final, I knew the Japanese fighter I was facing would be tough as I had watched him beat an American opponent and then one from India.

"He was tall, like me, and was a powerful fighter so I knew I'd have to be on top form, but I sat down with the Great Britain coaches and we came up with a plan that I was pleased to execute well.

"It's always tough against a home nation boxer, but I felt I rose to the occasion and had another points win."

The boxing competition was was held in the iconic Ryōgoku Kokugikan venue, which is famous as a temple of sumo wrestling in the Japanese capital and as well as being pleased with his performances in the ring in Tokyo, Richardson said the whole trip had been something to remember.

He said: "What an experience it was - it was unbelievable.

"It's the type of thing you don't even dream about, but boxing has provided me with opportunities like this.

"I've dedicated myself to this sport and to box in the Olympic arena was was an honour, so to win the tournament as well was amazing."

Richardson is backed by sponsors Datum Group, Maldon Demolition, Highwoods Health Clinic, Baccus and Jak Finch Hair and has thanked them for all of their support.