Industry Odisha Bureau, Sept 30: Lovlina Borgohain created history on Wednesday after she became the first Indian woman boxer to reach two Asian Games finals after defeating Kazakhstan’s Natalya Bogdanova in the women’s 75 kg semi final at the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games.
The Hangzhou 2022 silver medallist edged past Bagdanova 3-2 in a split decision to book her place in another Asian Games gold medal bout.
Lovlina Borgohain had a difficult start to the semi-final, losing the opening round 2-3 on a split decision. With the contest finely balanced, the Indian boxer raised her intensity in the second round and found greater success with her combinations.
Lovlina Borgohain remained composed in the final round, relying on her defence while carefully choosing when to attack. Bogdanova attempted to increase the pressure late in the bout, but Lovlina managed to limit her clean scoring opportunities.
The judges eventually handed Lovlina a 3-2 victory. This sent her into the final and giving her another opportunity to win Asian Games gold.
The victory also made Lovlina the third Indian boxer to reach a gold medal at the Aichi Nagoya Games. This follows Ankush Panghal in the men’s 80kg category and Parveen Hooda in the women’s 65kg category.
Meanwhile, Priya Ghanghas won bronze after losing 1-4 to China’s Yang Chengyu in the women’s 60kg semi-final. Meanwhile, Kapil Pokhriyal secured bronze after a 1-4 defeat to Uzbekistan’s Turbek Khabibullaev.
India’s boxing medal tally at the Games now sits at six, surpassing the four medals won at Hangzhou in 2022.
