Asian Games: Birthday girl Lovlina Borgohain makes history with gold, joins Mary Kom in elite club
India’s Lovlina Borgohain celebrates winning the gold medal match against China’s Ziya Bao. (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: Birthday girl Lovlina Borgohain gave herself the perfect gift on Friday when she became only the second Indian female boxer to win a gold medal at the Asian Games after legendary MC Mary Kom.The 29-year-old Indian thrashed China’s Ziya Bao 5-0 in a tightly contested women’s 75kg final in Aichi-Nagoya to eventually add Asian Games gold to the silver she won the previous year.Lovlin’s triumph also ended a wait that began in Hangzhou, where she reached the final but lost to another Chinese boxer, Li Qian, to settle for silver.On Friday, however, she will not be denied.Asian Games full coverage | Medal Tally | Schedule
Lovlina holds her nerve in a tight final
The Indian started the final with confidence and tied the score 3:2 on the judges’ score in the opening round. Bao responded with an aggressive approach in the second, forcing Lovlina into a more defensive mode as both boxers engaged in a series of exchanges in the middle of the ring.Despite the pressure, Lovlina remained composed and finished the round strongly. She won 4-1 to extend her overall lead to 2-0 in the final round.With gold within touching distance, Lovlina delivered another controlled performance into the third. She again won the round 4-1 to complete a comprehensive 5-0 verdict and claim the biggest title of her career at the Asian Games.The win was particularly significant given the quality of opposition they overcame en route to the final.In the semifinals, Lovlina defeated reigning 70kg world champion Natalya Bogdanova of Kazakhstan 3-2 in another close match.
Indian Lovlina Borgohain celebrates after winning over Chinese Bao Ziyi. (Photo by Reuters)
From silver in Hangzhou to historic gold
In the semi-finals, Lovlina tried to find her rhythm in the opening round against Bogdanová and fell behind 2-3 according to the judges’ cards. She shifted gears in the second, becoming more aggressive and landing cleaner punches to dominate the round 5-0.Bogdanová prevailed again in the decision, while Lovlina relied on defense and counterattacks. The Kazakh won the round 3-2, but Lovlin’s second-round advantage proved decisive.She secured a split decision victory after three of the five judges scored in her favour, securing a place in her second consecutive Asian Games final.This achievement made Lovlina the first Indian female boxer to reach the finals of the Asian Games. Her gold on Friday now puts her alongside Mary Kom, who won the women’s flyweight gold at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.India’s boxing campaign has already surpassed the medal tally from Hangzhou. The country won four medals at the 2023 edition, including one silver and three bronze. This time, the Indian boxers have already secured six medals, with two more golden opportunities remaining on Friday.Parveen Hooda will fight for gold in the 65kg category while Ankush Panghal will fight in the 80kg final later in the day.
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