Lovlina Borgohain!
At a mere 25 years of age, she's already etched her name in Indian sporting history. The boxer from Assam burst into stardom with a resounding bronze medal triumph at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Before that unforgettable moment in Tokyo, Lovlina's prowess remained largely in the shadows, hidden from the world's gaze. Yet, her journey to glory was far from sudden. She had clinched bronze at both the World and Asian Championships before her stunning Olympic display.
However, a formidable challenge awaited her when she was compelled to transition to a higher weight class following the removal of welterweight from the Olympic program. All her prior international victories had been in the welterweight (69kg) division, making the shift to middleweight (75kg) a daunting endeavour.
Despite early exits at the 2022 World Championships and a medal-less outing at the Commonwealth Games, Lovlina remained resolute and she eventually silenced her critics and doubters, rising once more like a phoenix from the ashes.
Her crowning moment arrived when she seized her maiden Gold at the 2022 Asian Championships, where she decisively defeated Ruzmetova Sokhiba of Uzbekistan with a resounding 5-0 victory.
But Lovlina was far from satisfied with her Asian Championships triumph. Her gaze was firmly fixed on the 2023 World Championships, hosted in the heart of Delhi, in her homeland India.
And what an extraordinary journey it was! Breaking her longstanding bronze medal jinx at the World Championships, Lovlina's path to a well-deserved Gold was nothing short of spectacular. In the semifinals, she bested a giant of the sport, the two-time Olympic medalist and former World Champion, top-seeded Li Quan of China. Despite Quan's towering reach, Lovlina's nimble footwork and swift moves outsmarted her opponent, rendering her giant wingspan inconsequential.
Finally, the woman who had claimed bronze in 2018 and 2019 ascended to the pinnacle as a World Champion, a moment destined to stay in her memory for eternity.
Yet, Lovlina's journey continues, as she sets her sights on the coveted Gold at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. This medal, when added to her illustrious collection, will signify her dominance on both the Asian and world stages, alongside her World Championship Gold and Olympic Bronze. A relentless champion, Lovlina Borgohain's story is one of unwavering determination and unparalleled achievement.
Lovlina Borgohain's schedule for Asian Games 2023
The preliminary round in Lovlina's 75kg category will start on September 26
Where to watch Lovlina Borgohain's event on TV?
Chanu's event will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network.
Where can one watch the live stream?
The official live stream for the event will be available on SonyLIV.
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