Here is the list of all Olympic medalists of India in boxing.
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India has been one of the best nations in the Commonwealth Games when it comes to boxing. However, the country hasn’t been able to produce similar performances on the stage of the Summer Olympic Games. India has won three medals in Boxing in total- three bronze. Let’s take a look at the three Olympians who won bronze for India in the Games.
Vijender Singh took part in the Athens Olympic Games but unfortunately made an early exit in the first round itself. However, the pugilist came back stronger in the next edition of the games in Beijing. In the middleweight category, he defeated Gambia’s Badou Jack in the first round and went on to beat Angkhan Chomphuphuang of Thailand in the next match. However, he went through severe pain after his bout against the Thai boxer. Although he didn’t let this affect his game and defeated Ecuador opponent Carlos Gongora in the quarter-final. With this, he ensured the first boxing medal for India at the Olympic Games. In June 2015, the boxer switched to professional by signing a deal with Queensberry Promotions through IOS Sports and Entertainment which opted him out of the 2016 Olympics.
Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, popularly known as MC Mary Kom is considered among the greatest boxers of all time in India. Women’s boxing was introduced at the London Olympics 2012. It didn’t take much time for the Indian legendary boxer to win a medal as she clinched the bronze in the inaugural edition itself. With this, she became the first female boxer from India to win an Olympic medal. However, the champion boxer had to go through a lot of challenges before holding onto the prestigious medal. Mary was a five-time world champion in women’s pinweight even before the addition of the sport in the Summer Games. Since pinweight and light flyweight weren’t among the categories in the Olympic Games, Mary had to increase her weight to fight in the flyweight category. She accomplished it and defeated former world champion Karolina Michalczuk of Poland to advance to the quarters. She then got the better of Tunisia’s Maroua Rahali and confirmed a medal for India in the flyweight event. Mary remains the most decorated female boxer in India due to her accomplishments in the sport.
Lovlina Borgohain made her first appearance in the Olympics at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. She represented India in the women’s welterweight category. The pugilist from Assam got tough competition from Germany’s Nadine Apetz in her first match. However, Lovlina prevailed over the German pugilist in a 3-2 split verdict that went in favor of the Indian to reach the quarters. She clinched a top victory against Chinese Taipei opponent and former world champion Chen Nien-chin 4-1 to book a spot in the semi-final. The boxer had previously lost four encounters against the Taiwan pugilist until this clash. Lovlina then faced world champion Busenaz Surmeneli but couldn’t get past her in the semi-final. Nevertheless, Lovlina had added another medal to India’s tally in the Tokyo 2020 in the form of bronze by entering the semi-final.
