GREAT Britain's Nicola Adams powered into the World Championship flyweight final with victory over Kazakhstan opponent Zhaina Shekerbekova.

The 33-year-old Olympic champion, who has already qualified to defend her title in Rio, is targeting a first World Championship gold medal and earned a unanimous verdict against the home fighter in their semi-final.

Shekerbekova had the Astana crowd behind her but a purposeful start from Adams put her in control and she held on for 39-37 verdicts across the board on the scorecards of the three judges.

Adams said: "I won today and that's one step closer to the gold. Thank you everyone for your continued support."

Blocking the former Bradford College student's route to the title, after her three previous world silvers, will be Peamwilai Laopeam of Thailand, who took a narrow win over French opponent Sarah Ourahmoune.

Laopeam said: "This is my last year in the sport after a long career and I travelled to Astana to get the Olympic spot for Rio, which I earned in a difficult quarter-final.

"I tried to move more than my French rival and managed to win a tough contest, so I am very happy."