(UPDATES with quotes)
Li Jinzi of China and Kazakhstan's Marina Volnova claimed bronze medals in the women's Olympic boxing tournament on Wednesday after losing their semifinals in the middleweight division.
Li was defeated in a close contest with Russia's No. 2 seed Nadezhda Torlopova. Li took the first round 4-3 but lost the next two and drew the fourth for a 12-10 loss.
"I pushed myself too quickly and didn't manage my rhythm. I feel ashamed I couldn't win," Li said, adding that she had fought with an injured left arm.
"She is good, but I don't think she will win the final," Li said of Torlopova.
Volnova, meanwhile, was destroyed 29-15 by the tournament's youngest boxer, America's 17-year-old fighter Claressa Shields.
Volnova did well to make it that far, upsetting British world champion Savannah Marshall 16-12 in the early rounds.
"I did all I could, but it was difficult to match the American's punches," Volnova said.
Shields said she was looking forward to Thursday's final.
"I cannot believe I am here because this is my dream and tomorrow I am going to fight my heart out."
Torlopova said she was ready for her youthful opponent: "She is very young and I have not fought her before, but I think experience will beat youth."
Women's boxing is making its debut in the Olympics this year. Bouts consist of four two-minute rounds, as opposed to the three three-minute rounds for the men.
Both semifinal losers are awarded bronze medals, with the winners battling it out for gold and silver.
