The semifinalists in all 13 weight divisions at the AIBA Women's World Championships Ningbo City 2008 have been confirmed after the last of the quarterfinals were completed on Wednesday with host nation China leading the qualifiers with 11 out of their 13 boxers reaching the last four.

A total of 17 countries are represented in the semifinals with Russia (5), India, Turkey and USA (4) following close behind while Canada, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Philippines, Romania and Sweden have qualified three boxers each. France and Hungary have two boxers each in the semifinals while England, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Poland and the Ukraine have one each.

Pic: Reigning two-times 48kg world champ Jong Hyang Ri of the the Democratic People's Republic of Korea lost to 18-year-old Alexandra Kuleshova of Russia

The Ningbo Youngor Gymnasium was the scene of high celebration and deep disappointment as the highly prized semifinal spots were confirmed.

Four-times World Championships medallist (three gold, one silver) Mary Kom of India handed China its first defeat of the tournament when she beat Guan Xiao Feng 4:0 in the 46kg semifinals. "Magnificent Mary" looked to struggling in the early stages of the contest but soon found her rhythm to continue her charge towards a fifth successive World Championship final. A remarkable feat considering she gave birth to twins in August.

The 25-year-old put the slow start down to her lack of fitness having taken the past year off. "The competition is becoming very tough now and in the first round I wasn't up with the pace at all," Kom said. "I'm not at my fittest but it's slowly coming back. It's my willpower that is getting me through at the moment and my love for my kids. Another World Championship title would be absolutely amazing but this is sport and anything can happen. The most important thing is that I'm absolutely enjoying being back as I can't be without boxing."

Pic: Nicola Adams claimed England's first World Championship medal after beating France's Weaver Lorna in the 54kg quarters

Other world champions to join Kom in the semifinals included her compatriot Laishram Sarita, who beat Tserenchimeg Tserendorj of Mongolia after the referee stopped the 52kg bout in the first round, while 60kg champion Katie Taylor (IRL) was a lot happier than on Tuesday after completing a quick victory over Argentina national champion and two-times World Championship quarterfinalist Peralta Celeste of Argentina. Taylor, who struggled to beat Danusa Dilhofova (CZE) to reach the quarterfinals, saw her 60kg bout stopped by the referee in the first round after Celeste had received two standing eight counts.

"That's the Katie we know," Taylor's coach and father and former light heavyweight world champion Peter said. "She had a much better rythym and she was allowed to box. Peralta (Celeste) came to box and that made for a much better bout for everyone, including Katie who looked great today."

One of the bouts of the day saw up and coming 18-year-old Alexandra Kuleshova of Russia beat the reigning two-times48kg world champ Jong Hyang Ri (PRK) in an impressive 8:2 victory. Lack of history is definitely on the side of Kuleshova, as she makes her debut in the World Championships and she is definitely surprising with her quick hand speed and power.

Another key bout saw Russia victorious again when Sofya Ochigava, a world champion in 2006 (54kg) and in 2005 (52kg) is proving a great hit in her new weight division of 57kg when she knocked reigning world champion Kum Ju Yun (PRK) out of the competition with an emphatic 8:1 victory.

Meanwhile, England claimed its first ever Women's World Championship medal when 26-year-old Nicola Adams beat France's Weaver Lorna 7:2 to guarantee at least a bronze.

"This is amazing," Adams said after the bout. "To reach the semifinals has just been incredible. It can't get much better than this. Everybody will be over the moon. I have trained hard for this and this is the reward. I'm stoked."

In a bout based on historic rivalry, Adams said she had to be patient to guarantee victory in the 54kg contest. "She was really cagey and I was waiting to draw her out of her guard before counter attacking. But it eventually came and it was just a matter of wearing her down."

Pic: Egypt's Nadia Mohamed (blue) was the last of the competitors from Africa's sole representative in the competition. She lost  10:4 to USA's Mioshia Wagoner

Thursday is a rest day for the AIBA Women's World Championships Ningbo City 2008 before the semifinals take place on Friday, starting at 14:00 (local time).