TWO of the North-East's leading Olympic hopes have been in impressive form as they continue their build-up to this summer's Games in Beijing.

Sedgefield boxer Bradley Saunders, a confirmed participant in this year's Olympics, saw off current world number one Manus Boonjumnong to book a place in the final of the prestigious AIBA President Cup in Taiwan.

And Redcar modern pentathlete Katy Livingston cruised through to the final of the World Championships in Budapest as she looks to secure one of the two Olympic qualifying spots open to British competitors.

Saunders secured his Olympic place when he won a bronze medal at last year's World Championships, but yesterday's President Cup semi-final saw him comprehensively outclass the fighter who was crowned world number one in Chicago.

Saunders, of South Durham ABC, was well ahead of Boonjumnong when the referee was forced to end the contest.

He will now face Tunisian Hamza Hassini or Zambian Bwalya Hastings in this morning's final, and a victory would result in him travelling to Beijing as one of the favourites to claim an Olympic gold medal.

Livingston also hopes to be fly to China this summer, and her prospects increased when she qualified for today's World Championship final.

The former New Marske Harrier finished 13th in her semifinal, good enough to secure a final place in Budapest.

However, she will be joined by three other Britons in the final, and a top-three finish from either might be enough to deny Livingston an Olympic place.

Livingston and Heather Fell have qualified for the Olympics, but Mhairi Spence and Georgina Harland are hoping to achieve a qualifying mark of their own.

Britain can only send two modern pentathletes to the Olympics, so selectors will have a decision to make if more than two competitors match the qualifying criteria.