Hangzhou: Lovlina Borgohain became the fourth Indian pugilist to secure an Olympic quota after she stormed into the final of the women’s 75kg boxing event at the Asian Games 2023 here on Tuesday.
World Champion Lovlina outwitted Thailand’s Baison Maneekon in her semifinal match to book the gold medal bout on Wednesday.
Lovlina landed some effective hooks on the counter using her height to keep her rival’s attack at the bay. She remained defensively disciplined throughout the bout, eventually securing a place in the gold medal bout.
With the win, Lovlina Borgohain also secured a Paris 2024 Olympic quota by virtue of making it to the final of her division.
So far, India’s Nikhat Zareen, Preeti Pawar, and Parveen Hooda have secured Paris 2024 quotas apart from Lovlina.
The 19-year-old Preeti, meanwhile, lost her 54kg semifinal bout against China’s Chang Yuan, the reigning champion, by unanimous decision.
Preeti, who is making her Asian Games debut, had already secured a bronze medal and an Olympic quota by making into the semis.
Through Preeti and Nikhat, India have already won two bronze medals in boxing at the Asian Games 2023 so far.
Three other boxers – Lovlina Borgohain, Parveen Hooda and Narender Berwal – are also guaranteed podium finishes but the colour of their medals is yet to be finalised.
