Lovlina Borgohain faced a challenging defeat against China’s top seed, Li Qian, in the women’s 75kg quarterfinal, marking the end of India’s boxing campaign at the Paris Olympics on Sunday. The Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist lost in a 1-4 split decision at the North Paris Arena.
With the elimination of Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina had become India’s best hope for a boxing medal. However, Li Qian displayed remarkable skill and determination, securing the victory. A win for Lovlina would have guaranteed her a medal, as Olympic boxing awards two bronze medals to the losing semi-finalists.
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Lovlina made history by winning a bronze in the 69kg category, becoming only the third Indian boxer to achieve this feat, following Vijender Singh and Mary Kom. Due to the removal of the 69kg category from the Olympic weight classes, Lovlina moved up to the 75kg division, where she has adapted impressively, becoming the reigning world champion.
Lovlina was the only seeded Indian boxer at the current Summer Games. She began her campaign with a dominant 5-0 unanimous victory against Norway’s Sunniva Hofstad earlier in the week. However, her bout with Li Qian was a tough challenge, reminiscent of the Asian Games final last year, where she also lost to Qian, settling for a silver medal.
Despite the setback, Lovlina’s journey from Tokyo to Paris showcases her resilience and dedication to the sport, highlighting her ability to compete at the highest levels.
