Olympics 2020: Debutant Lovlina Borgohain assures first boxing medal for India

Debutant Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) assured India of its first boxing medal at the ongoing Olympic Games when she upstaged former world champion, Nien-Chin Chen of Chinese Taipei, to enter the semifinals. The 23-year-old Assam boxer prevailed 4-1 to make the last four where she will square off against reigning world champion Busenaz Surmeneli of Turkey, who hammered Ukraine's Anna Lysenko in her quarterfinal bout.

Debutant Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) assured India of its first boxing medal at the ongoing Olympic Games when she upstaged former world champion Nien-Chin Chen of Chinese Taipei to enter the semifinals. Credit: PTI

The 23-year-old Assam boxer prevailed 4-1 to make the last four where she will square off against reigning world champion Busenaz Surmeneli of Turkey. Credit: AFP Photo

Borgohain, a two-time world championship bronze-medallist and the first female boxer from Assam to qualify for the Games, displayed tremendous calm in the face of a plucky opponent, who had beaten her in the past. Credit: Reuters Photo

She was aggressive to start with, followed it up with a tremendous counter-attacking game and kept her defence tight in the final three minutes to emerge triumphant. Credit: AFP Photo

The youngster, who was laid low by Covid-19 last year and missed a training trip to Europe because of it, let out a huge scream after the referee raised her hand, pent up emotions finally getting the better of her. Credit: AP Photo

Lovlina Borgohain and Nien-Chin Chen fight during their women's welter (64-69kg) quarter-final boxing match. Credit: AFP Photo

Lovlina Borgohain celebrates after winning against Nien-Chin Chen after their quarter-final boxing match. Credit: AFP Photo

Lovlina Borgohain reacts after her win against Nien-Chin Chen. Credit: AP Photo

Lovlina Borgohain exchanges punches with Chen Nien-Chin during women's welterweight (64-69kg) category boxing match. Credit: PTI Photo

Lovlina Borgohain before her bout against Chen Nien-Chin. Credit: PTI Photo