In a remarkable display of skill and determination, India’s Lovlina Borgohain, an Olympic medallist and reigning world champion, made her mark at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China. Competing in the women’s 75kg boxing event, Borgohain advanced to the semi-finals, securing a well-deserved medal for herself.
Her path to the semi-finals included a dominant victory over the Republic of Korea’s Suyeon Seong, a formidable opponent who held a 2022 Asian championships bronze medal. Borgohain’s prowess was evident as she landed powerful right-handed jabs in the early rounds, ultimately securing a unanimous decision in her favor.
In a separate bout, the young talent Preeti Pawar, competing in the women’s 54kg category, exhibited her mettle by defeating Zhaina Shekerbekova of Kazakhstan in a hard-fought contest, securing her place in the semi-finals. Importantly, this victory also granted Pawar a coveted quota for the Paris 2024 Olympics, scheduled for the following year.
It’s worth noting that the Paris 2024 Olympics qualification hinges on the discretion of National Olympic Committees (NOCs), as they have the exclusive authority to select athletes for their respective delegations.
The Asian Games 2023 doubles as a qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympics in boxing. For men’s events, gold and silver medallists in each of the seven weight divisions will be granted a quota. In the women’s categories, four quotas will be available for most weight classes, with exceptions for the 66kg and 75kg divisions, which will have two berths.
Lovlina Borgohain, competing in the 75kg category, is tantalizingly close to securing her Paris 2024 quota, needing one more victorious bout to cement her place.
Preeti Pawar faced a formidable challenge in her Kazakh opponent, a three-time world championships medallist. Despite a closely contested opening round, Pawar showcased her resilience in the third round, landing decisive punches to secure her victory.
In other notable performances, Sachin Siwach received a walkover, propelling him to the men’s 57kg quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Narender Berwal secured a medal in the men’s +92kg division with a unanimous decision victory over Iman Ramezanpour Delavar of Iran.
The semi-finals will see Lovlina Borgohain taking on Thailand’s Baison Maneekon, while Preeti Pawar will face China’s Chang Yuan, both vying for a place in the gold medal bout. These promising Indian boxers continue to inspire with their exceptional performances on the international stage, setting their sights on glory at the Asian Games 2023 and beyond.
