(NOV 23) Seven top Asian stars progressed on semi-finals day at the Halla Gymnasium in Jeju with particularly fine performances from Shamjetsabam Sarajubala (48kg), Nazym Kyzaybay (48kg). China’s Li Qian also excelled on another dramatic day in Korea as did Lazzat Kungeibayeva (+81kg).

Despite a gallant fighting display, another Chinese boxer, Junhua Yin failed to ‘overthrow’ reigning 60kg champion Katie Taylor, in a bout which resulted in an eventual TKO4 decision for the Irish woman, following an injured hand sustained by the Chinese champion.

Here courtesy of Asiaboxing’s team of reporters news of all the day’s action involving the Asian boxers:

“The thirteen Asian semi-finalists tried to advance to the final of the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships and among them seven of our hopes kept their golden dreams in Korea. China, India and Kazakhstan have got two finalists while Philippines also have got one boxer in the gold medal bouts. Two gold medals for Asia are guaranteed as only our boxers will be represented the finals of the Light Flyweight class (48 kg) and the Light Heavyweight class (81 kg) in Jeju.

Women's Light Flyweight class (48 kg):

India's AIBA Women's Youth World Champion Shamjetsabam Sarjubala Devi arrived to Jeju as a medal contender and she was able to realize her minimum target after six competition days. She met for the final with Thailand's new sensation Chuthamat Raksat who defeated Chinese Taipei's Pin Meng Chieh in the quarter-final stage of the tournament. The Indian boxer began their bout better but Raksat's ringside was able also to raise the level of their technician contest. The final verdict of their bout was 2:0 in the favour of Shamjetsabam Sarjubala Devi who was the first Asian boxer who could advance to the finals in Jeju.

Kazakhstan's AIBA Women's World Championships bronze medallist Nazym Kyzaybay had to eliminate Europe's best boxer of the weight class, Romania's Steluta Duta in the quarter-finals while her semi-final opponent, Japan's 19-year-old Madoka Wada was too smart for Russia's Zoia Isaeva in the quarter-final. Wada tried to do her best in the opening round but Kyzaybay had quicker combinations in the second part of the battle which means Central Asia's great prospect will now meet the Indian athlete in the final.

Nesthy Petecio (Red)

Women’s Featherweight class (57 kg):

Philippines' last remained boxer among their competed three athletes Nesthy Petecio reached her career highlight advancing to the semi-finals in Jeju where her next rival was a US athlete, current AIBA Women's World Champion Tiara Brown. Petecio started with quick body shots in the first tactical round took the lead very quickly. She was motivated and her speed was in a different level than the US titleholder which resulted for her another amazing victory in the championships. Her teammate Josie Gabuco was able to win the final in Qinhuangdao two years ago and now she is ready to repeat that performance tomorrow.

Women’s Lightweight class (60 kg):

China's defending Asian Games winner Yin Junhua proved world class performance in the quarter-finals where she defeated Bulgaria's EUBC European Continental Championships bronze medallist veteran Denitsa Eliseeva. The 24-year-old boxer, who trains in Hebeiqianan, had to meet with Ireland's living legend, London 2012 Olympic Champion and four-time AIBA Women's World Champion Katie Taylor. The Chinese boxer has got a very similar style as the World's No.1 but she was not ready yet to beat the European star due her low number of international bouts. Yin was excellent once again in the ‘bout of the day’ but due to her hand injury her ringside abandoned the contest at the start of the fourth round.

Women’s Light Welterweight class (64 kg):

Korea's National Champion Shim Hee Jung defeated Lithuania's Vaida Valskyte in the quarter-finals and secured a medal for the host nation at the very first time in the history of the championships. The 31-year-old boxer tried to do her best once again but she was not so quick as Russia's EUBC European Continental Championships gold medallist Anastasia Beliakova who is the top favourite of the weight class. Thailand's Southeast Asian Games winner Supaporn Seesondee is a tough boxer who put her opponents under pressure from the first seconds but she was not able to realize her tactic against England's Sandy Ryan.

Women’s Middleweight class (75 kg):

China's Asian Games silver medallist and Sportaccord World Combat Games runner-up Li Qian reached her minimum target getting the guaranteed bronze medal but she was still hungry to do it better in Jeju. The 24-year-old boxer faced with Netherlands' EUBC European Continental Championships gold medallist Nouchka Fontijn and following the Incheon 2014 Asian Games she could advance into another final during her career. Li Qian won one of the narrowest bouts of the day which means she will now meet with US star Claressa Shields.

Women’s Light Heavyweight class (81 kg):

India's new team member Saweety Boora exceeded previous expectations with her guaranteed medal in Jeju but she was not enough satisfied with that and raised her level of rhythm in the semi-final against Ukraine's Anastasia Chernokolenko who moved down one weight class this year. Boora reduced the fighting distance against her European rival and did not give any chance to Ukraine's last hope in the semi-finals.

China's two-time National Champion 24-year-old Yang Xiaoli replaced the defending AIBA Women's World Champion Yuan Meiqing in the team and arrived to Jeju as a favourite. The Chinese student won all of the rounds against Turkey's Elif Guneri who eliminated the defending AIBA Women's Youth World Champion Petra Szatmari of Hungary in the quarter-finals. Yang's triumph means another Asian home final to be scheduled in Jeju.

Monday’s Finals Program: Link