IT’S D-DAY for St Joseph’s star Joe Cordina at the Olympic Games in Rio, as the St Joseph’s star begins his quest for gold.

Cordina faces Charly Suarez of the Philippines tonight, with a place in the last 16 of the lightweight division up for grabs.

Nothing but a place on the top spot of the medal podium will suffice for the 24-year-old.

And that confidence does not look misplaced when you look at the Welshman’s recent record.

He won his final competition before the Olympics at the Golden Belt tournament in Romania and is also the reigning European champion.

But Cordina is not short of rivals for the 60kg crown – double world champion Lazaro Alvarez Estrada from Cuba is among those who are going to be vying for first prize.

“I will not be satisfied unless I am standing there with a gold medal around my neck,” he said.

“I needed to get everything right before the first fight and I think I have done that.

“Preparation is going well. I have been training very hard and timing it so that I’m in the best shape I possibly can be for the first fight. I am so excited for it.

“I am on the rise and my confidence is high. No-one will want to fight me, I promise that.

“I started boxing when I was 16 and the coach told me I had what it takes. It has paid off and it is all going the right way for me. Now I’m here to get an Olympic gold.”

Cordina secured a spot for Rio by finishing runner-up at the 2016 European Olympic Qualification Tournament in Samsun, Turkey.

Victory over Ireland’s David Joyce, the man who eliminated him from the 2012 Olympic qualification tournament, in the semi-finals secured his spot.

And after years of preparation, Cordina says he and the rest of the 12-strong Team GB boxing squad are ready to make history in Brazil.

“We are a tight-knit team as boxers,” he added.

“We all believe in each other’s ability and we are all confident we will come back with medals. It is a tough ask, and it will be tough, but we think we can.

“Anthony Joshua is a perfect example of what we want to achieve. He started where I am and now he is an Olympic champion and a professional world champion. He was me four years ago, which is a great feeling.

“I have tried to say to myself ‘I am going to an Olympics’ but it doesn’t seem real. Trying on the kit in Birmingham hit it home but not that hard.

“When I walk out with the crowd screaming, that will be the best moment.”

Aldi is the first official supermarket partner of Team GB and has been championing our nation’s extraordinary athletes on their road to Rio, and encouraging the public to tuck into fresh, affordable, Great British food. For more information visit aldi.co.uk