Olympic preview: Can China hold gold lead on day 13?

Can a 24-year-old from China beat a host nation opponent in front of a deafening crowd to become the first female Olympic boxing champion?

Ren Cancan, the world champion, defeated Marlen Esparza of the US 10-8 in the women's 51kg boxing semifinals on Wednesday and a place in boxing history.

Ren will now face Nicola Adams in the first women's final at 11:30 pm in what is sure to be a highlight of Olympic day 13 and an ear-piercing event as the Brits can get passionate about the sport firmly rooted in the country's culture.

But success could also come early from other unlikely places.

Historically, China has not done well in Olympic canoe and kayak events, winning just two medals since 2000. Gold medals in Beijing and Athens are from the men's 500m canoe double sprint.

Huang Maoxing and Li Qiang, who ranked first in semifinal, could offer an early gold in the men's canoe double 1000m sprint finals at 4:30 pm.

China's Zhou Yu and Wu Yanan competes in the women's kayak double (K2) 500m semifinal at the Eton Dorney during the London 2012 Olympic Games, Aug 7, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

League leaders Wu Yanan and Zhou Yu will also vie for medal glory in the women's kayak double 500m final at 5:35 pm.

Chen Ruolin, who has already won one gold in London and is the current Olympic diving champion will compete against teammate Hu Yadan for a medal in the women's 10m platform diving. The semifinal is at 5 pm, the final 2 am.

Also back in the water, Fang Yanqiao will chase a medal in the women's 10km swimming marathon at 7 pm.

In the women's taekwondo 57kg world champion Hou Yuzhou will face Diana Lopez of the US for a place in the final from 7:30 pm. The final will be held at 5:15 am.

And Olympic champion Wang Jiao will defend her 2008 title in her bout against Nigeria'a Amarachi Favour Obiajunwa in the women's 72kg freestyle wrestling at 8:56 pm. The final is at 2:48 am.

Team China also has two athletes competing in track medal events in the early hours of Friday morning. Dong Bin will compete in the men's triple jump final at 2:20 am and Lu Huihui in the women's javelin throw final at 4 am.

China's Hu Yadan performs an armstand dive during the women's 10m platform preliminary round at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Center, Aug 8, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]