(APR 1)   Tuesday brought some shock results in the women’s quarter-finals at the 2016 Asian/Oceanian Olympic qualifiers in Qian’an and none more so that the defeat of London 2012 bronze medallist Mavzuna Chorieva the 23 years old from Tajikistan who departed this year’s first qualifier when going under 3:0 to the tough Australian Shelley Watts in their 60kg Lightweight clash.

The ASBC reports that the quarter-finals took place on the fifth competition day in Qian'an, China. In all, male and female, there were 52 bouts and the winners of the quarter-finals are now guaranteed medallists in China after Day 5. China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Philippines, India, Kyrgyzstan and Thailand are the most successful nations after the quarter-finals.

Here are but a few of Tuesday’s highlights in the Women’s tournament where Wednesday is a “ day of rest” and Thursday brings the semi-finals. The winners then in each of the three Olympic weights are GUARANTEED their place in Rio in August.

Women's Flyweight class (51 kg):

Thailand's ASBC Asian Women's Champion Peamwilai Laopeam was the favourite against Chinese Taipei's AIBA Women's Youth World Champion Lin Yu Ting in Qian'an but the Southeast Asian lady had difficulties in their contest. Lin used her energy to keep the distance and her counter-attacks delivered one big shock, on a 1:2 split decision.

Uzbekistan's Yodgoroy Mirzaeva overcame the challenge of DPR Korea's experienced Ri Hyang Mi and the two will now meet Thursday in a semi-final bout that few predicted.

China's Ren Cancan (surprisingly only seeded fourth here) and India's Chungneijang Mary Kom Hmangte (seeded 1) also advanced to the semi-finals where their clash on Thursday promises to be an epic encounter. Will Ren Cancan emerge victorious on home soil or will the ‘evergreen’ Mary Kom proceed to the final? Join us later in the week for our take on that ‘battle royal’ on the Road to Rio.

Women's Lightweight class (60 kg):

Korea's Oh Yeon Ji began the bout well against Thailand's Tassamalee Thongjan but she could continue at that pace until the final bell and suffered a surprise loss in Qian'an. Thongjan's next opponent will be Australia's Commonwealth Games winner Shelley Watts while China's Incheon 2014 Asian Games winner Yin Junhua (the no 1 seed) and Vietnam's Luu Thi Duyen (seeded 4) also advanced to the semi-finals.

The Vietnamese woman defeated India’s Sarita Devi Laishram (2:1) though of course the Indian will have another chance to qualify via the World’s in Astana.

Watts has certainly improved since Glasgow 2014 and fully deserved her 3:0 decision over Tajikistan’s Chorieva. Current form suggests a Watts vs Yin Junhua final but their opponents will be out to prove that prediction wrong.

Women's Middleweight class (75 kg):

Kazakhstan's defending ASBC Asian Women's Champion the surprisingly unseeded Dariga Shakimova controlled her quarter-final until the final bell against Mongolia's Erdenetuya Enkhbaatar and she too needs only one more victory to win an Olympic spot in Qian'an. Shakimova's next opponent will be DPR Korea's last remaining boxer Incheon 2014 Asian Games winner Jang Un Hui(seeded 2) in the semi-finals while China's Li Qian (the top seed) and Chinese Taipei's Chen Nien Chin are also in the last four.

The promising 19 years old from Chinese Taipei is certainly ‘one to watch’ for the future but a win here against the AIBA World no.1 may just be a step too far on this occasion though her time will surely come at or before Tokyo 2020.

WBAN understands from ASBC’s social media account that they expect to LIVE STREAMING of all the men’s and women’s semi-finals and if you should wish to watch those LIVE we’d suggest you also check out the official ASBC Facebook and Twitter accounts on Thursday under “Asian Boxing Confederation”

All the Quarter Final results both male and female competitions are here, courtesy as always of our friends at Strefa Poland Boxing :

http://amateur-boxing.strefa.pl/Championships/AsianOlyQual2016.html