Lovlina Borgohain became the second medal winner from India and the North East as she entered the semifinal of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics boxing event.
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She had started her career as a kickboxer. Her sisters had also gone down the same path. But, the opportunities in Golaghat was limited for such a profession. The switch from kickboxing to boxing was made because there was no other choice. In Barpathar Girls High School, this young girl participated in the boxing trials and impressed. Padum Boro, the renowned Assam boxing coach at that time, had spotted her and given her the opportunity to perform on bigger stages.
But before that, one needs to credit her father. He would often bring sweets wrapped in newspaper. In one such newspaper, she saw a photo of Muhammad Ali and his exploits in boxing. Inspired by Muhammad Ali, she decided to show her mettle in boxing.
Thus began the journey of Lovlina Borgohain, the 23-year-old from Golaghat who flew India’s flag high in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Lovlina knew that the odds were stacked against her in the welterweight category. Her first opponent was Nadine Apetz of Germany. Apetz was a bronze medal winner in two World Championship events as well as the gold medallist in the EU Championship. Having become the first German woman to enter the Summer Olympics, Apetz was in good form. But, Lovlina, through sheer grit and determination, managed to hold on. She was declared the winner on a split decision. But, Lovlina had progressed to the next stage and it was simply marvelous.
The stakes were higher in the next game against Chinese Taipei’s Nien-Chin Chen. The Chinese Taipei boxer was the gold medalist in the International Boxing Association (AIBA) Women’s Junior and Youth World Boxing Championships in Bulgaria. In 2014, she had secured silver in the world Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing. Crucially for Borgohain, in the 2018 world championship, she had lost to Chen in the semi-final. In Tokyo Olympics 2020, revenge was on her mind.
Heading into the bout, Lovlina used her height advantage to great effect. Chen was three inches shorter than Lovlina, who was five feet seven inches. The height utilization and the way how she used the ring were superb. Chen looked to attack but Lovlina’s defense also held up. When Lovlina won the first round, the momentum was with her.
In the second round, Lovlina continued to utilize her height advantage as she managed to win the bout although it was a split decision again. But, in the third round, Lovlina managed to solidify her defence as Chen had better momentum. Lovlina was declared the winner. She assured Assam would get a medal in the Olympics for the first time.
After Mirabai Chanu, the Tokyo Olympics 2020 is assuming a very distinct North Eastern flavor. With Lovlina’s win, the Northeast of the country has come into greater focus. The loss of MC Mary Kom on Thursday was heartbreaking, but this win eclipses it all.
The heartbreak of 2018 was overcome. Lovlina Borgohain has not had things easy for her. In the 2018 Commonwealth Games, she was not informed of her selection. Having won the India Open, she did not get the proper communication. The distraction and uncertainty had cost her, resulting in a loss in the quarterfinal to Sandy Ryan. The doubters already had enough ammunition to go after Lovlina.
Ignored were the facts that she had won bronze in the Asian Championships and the President’s Cup. Lovlina was winning at the age of 20. But in her case, everything got ignored. During the Women’s World Boxing Championship in New Delhi in 2018 and 2019, Lovlina had to settle for bronze.
The journey for Lovlina Borgohain has only begun after assuring India of a medal. Her work during the coronavirus pandemic has already made her mature beyond her years. The only hope now is for people in India and the administration to fall in line and ensure they get their due. Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain have ensured that the Northeast becoming the sporting hub of the country is realised. After this, one hopes that the Indian public acknowledges the Northeast as their own and not go off on racist and xenophobic tirades.
If that change happens, we know who to thank. For the moment, India can bask in the glory of finally getting a second medal. After Mirabai Chanu, the next medalist is Lovlina Borgohain.
