Medal-Hungry Lovlina Borgohain Targets Boxing World Championships

Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain has chosen to continue with her boxing career in pursuit of another Olympic medal, despite missing out at the last Paris Games. The 27-year-old from Assam, who had considered retirement to focus on her boxing academy, will stage her international return at the forthcoming World Championships in Liverpool on 4th September. Borgohain took a break from international competition following the Paris Games to establish her academy, which was successfully launched in Guwahati in June.

“When I thought about setting up my academy, I planned to compete until the Paris Olympics, and afterwards maybe retire. But the result in Paris wasn’t what I had wished for. Had I won a medal there, that could have marked my retirement,” Borgohain revealed in an interview with PTI.

The boxer narrowly missed out on consecutive Olympic medals in Paris, losing in the women’s middleweight division’s quarterfinals to the eventual champion, Li Qian from China. On the topic of the 2028 Los Angeles Games potentially being her final if she secures a podium finish, Borgohain stated: “Yes, that is a possibility.”

“I could have secured gold in the Paris Olympics as well because all those women who made it to the podium, I have defeated them all in the past. I have taken down the champion, beat the silver medalist twice, and also overcame both bronze medalists. This reflects my level and I know I can win another Olympic medal. This keeps me motivated,” she added.

She acknowledges the upcoming challenges, having only participated in one national-level competition as preparation. “I’ll be competing internationally after a lengthy break. I had only a month to prepare, so I have focussed on building endurance and strength,” Borgohain shared.

The World Championships will be the first major competition with World Boxing, the global governing body that succeeded IBA. Despite her considerable collection of awards, which include Olympic bronze, various World and Asian Championships medals, and an Asian Games silver, Borgohain remains enthusiastic for further success.

“I am addicted to boxing and still have a thirst for more medals,” Borgohain humbly confessed. Her break from competition has been fruitful as she concentrated on nurturing her academy.

Nevertheless, Borgohain awakening to the joy of making a difference off the ring is even more rewarding. “With the academy, we’re contributing to the country, and this feeling is on par with, if not better than winning a medal. There won’t be merely one Lovlina from Assam but many. I’ve always wanted to give back to the country. Boxing has given me so much, this is just the start,” she concluded.