By Shawn Smith

Nico Hernandez leaped in the air with an unshakable smile on his face when the scorecards were read. With a unanimous decision victory over Ecuador's Carlos Eduardo Quipo Pilataxi, 20-year-old Hernandez had secured his spot in the men's light flyweight semi-final, securing at least a bronze medal for the United States' at the Rio Olympics.

Hernandez boxed well against his 26-year-old opponent, taking 29-28 scorecards across the board.

“I'm not sore, I feel good,” Hernandez told NBC Sports’ Chris Mannix. “I'm glad I got to this spot. It's not what I came for; I came for gold. That's what I expect.”

In the semi-final, Hernandez will take on Uzbekistan's Hasanboy Dusmatov, who entered the Olympics ranked third in the division. That fight will take place during the morning session on August 12. There is no bronze medal match, with two bronze medalists awarded in each weight class.

American Gary Russell was successful during his round-of-32 bout against Haiti’s Richardson Hitchins in the men’s light welterweight division, winning on all three scorecards. He’ll take on fourth-ranked Wuittichai Masuk of Thailand in the round of 16.

“I want to give (Hitchins) his due, he's a great opponent of amazing caliber,” Russell told NBC Sports’ Chris Mannix. “I'm a Grade A fighter. I'm not talking down on him or lowering his class, but I should've dominated him knowing my talent.

In the most shocking upset of the night session, Irish medal hopeful Joseph Ward was deducted points in both the second and third rounds of his fight against Ecuador’s Carlos Mina, effectively securing the loss. Ward was ranked fourth in the division before his elimination in the round-of-16.

On Thursday, Canada’s Arthur Biyaslanov takes to the ring for the first time in his round-of-32 bout against Jordan’s Obada Alkasbeh. Great Britain has three fighters taking part in Thursday’s festivities, with light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi, light welterweight Pat McCormack and welterweight Josh Kelly all in action. As well, Steven Donnelly will attempt to tap into the luck of the Irish and turn their boxing fate around with a bout against Mongolia’s Tuvshinbat Byamba.

Quick results:

Men's light flyweight (49kg.): Hasanboy Dusmatov (UZB) def. Birzhan Zhakypov (KAZ)

Men's flyweight (49kg.): Nico Hernandez (USA) def. Carlos Quipo Pilataxi (ECU)

Men's bantamweight (56kg.): Dzmitry Asanau (BLR) def. Hector Garcia Mora (DOM)

Men's bantamweight (56kg.): Erdenebat Tsendbaatar (MGL) def. Benson Njangiru (KEN)

Men’s bantamweight (56kg.) Robenilson De Jesus (BRA) def. Fahem Hammachi (ALG)

Men’s light welterweight (64kg.): Fazliddin Gaibnazarov (UZB) def. Dival Malonga Dzalamou (CGO)

Men’s light welterweight (64kg.): Manoj Kumar (IND) def. Evaldes Petrauskas (LTU)

Men’s light welterweight (64kg.) Gary Russell (USA) def. Richardson Hitchins (HAI)

Men’s light heavyweight (81kg.) Mathieu Bauderlique (FRA) def. Juan Carlos Carrillo (COL)

Men’s light heavyweight (81kg.): Carlos Mina (ECU) def. Joseph Ward (IRL)

Men’s heavy (91kg.): Vassiliy Levit (KAZ) def. Kennedy St. Pierre (MRI)

Men’s heavy (91kg.): Erislandy Savon (CUB) def. Yamil Peralta (ARG)