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Another NE girl assures second Olympic medal for India

Lovlina Borgohain (TWITTER PHOTO @ShivAroor)
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Woman boxer from Assam Lovlina Borgohain entered into the semifinals defeating her opponent Chen Nien-Chin of Chinese Taipei 4-1 in welterweight category ensuring at least a bronze medal for the country

TFM Desk

India got into celebratory mode on Friday as another North East girl assured an Olympics medal for the country in Tokyo. Woman boxer from Assam Lovlina Borgohain entered into the semifinals defeating her opponent Chen Nien-Chin of Chinese Taipei 4-1 in welterweight category ensuring at least a bronze medal for the country after ace boxer Saikhom Mirabai Chanu from had won a Silver medal for India.

The 23-year-old Assamese is now in line to become the third Indian boxer after Vijender Singh and Mary Kom to win an Olympic medal. She will meet Surmeneli Busenaz of Turkey in the first semifinal on August 4, a win assuring her of at least a silver medal.

Before this match, Lovlina had lost to Chen four times. “I knew I lost to this girl four times before. So, it was a challenge for me to prove to myself. I never thought about proving to others. I thought this was a golden opportunity for me to take my revenge for previous losses against her. There was no strategy while going to the ring. Whatever situation was there, I will handle it there itself. I am happy I bagged the chance to do well. I played whole-heartedly and enjoyed it,” said a smiling Lovlina in a press interaction organised by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI).

According to IANS report, up against an opponent she had never beaten in three attempts earlier, Lovlina came out aggressively and attacked Chen from the start, landing a few body blows and left hook-and-jab combinations, winning the round 3-2 after getting 10 points from three of the five judges. Chen got in a few scoring punches but Lovlina defended well and kept the score in check.

In the second round, Chen went on the attack in an attempt to negate Lovlina’s advantage but the Indian, who took up combat sport Muay Thai at age 13 before a switch to boxing, used her height and quick feet to keep distance and did not allow her rival any chances to land good scoring punches. Her tactics won approval from the judges as got 10 points from all five judges.

With Lovlina enjoying an overwhelming advantage, Chen went in the hunt for a knockout in the third round but her Indian rival was cautious and maintained her distance and defended well to win the bout 4:1.

Meanwhile, union sports minister Anurag Thakur tweeted, “Well done @LovlinaBorgohai, what amazing news for India to wake up to today! We’ve been glued to the TV screen watching you in action!”

“This is a BIG punch. You continue to make us proud #LovlinaBorgohain and keep India’s flag high & shining at #TokyoOlympics2020. Well done,” tweeted Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Lovlina’s feat.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also congratulated Lovlina for ensuring at least a bronze medal for the country. He tweeted – “Congratulations to India’s daughter Lovlina for entering the semifinals and assuring a medal in boxing. India is proud of you and wishes the best to you on this occasion.”

So far India has won only one silver medal, in women’s 49kg weightlifting, at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. 

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