Lovlina Borgohain celebrated her 29th birthday with a landmark Asian Games gold medal, defeating China’s Ziyi Bao by unanimous decision in the women’s 75kg final. The victory ended India’s 12-year wait for a women’s boxing gold at the Asian Games.
Lovlina became the first Indian woman since legendary boxer Mary Kom in 2014 to win an Asian Games boxing gold medal. The victory also marked another major milestone in her career after she had previously won silver at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
The 29-year-old entered the final determined to change the colour of her medal. She had already made history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach back-to-back Asian Games boxing finals.
Lovlina Takes Early Lead
Lovlina entered the gold-medal bout with a height and reach advantage over Bao. The Indian boxer started positively, landing several punches to the face before attempting to close the distance through clinches.
Bao, however, arrived in the final with an impressive amateur record and a 14-fight winning streak. The Chinese boxer gradually found her rhythm and began landing heavy punches to Lovlina’s body.
As Bao moved closer and increased her attacking pressure, Lovlina was forced onto the defensive. The opening round remained closely contested, but three of the five judges favoured the Indian boxer, giving her a 3-2 lead.
The narrow advantage gave Lovlina an important start in the contest.
Lovlina Controls Second Round
Bao began the second round aggressively and continued to throw combinations. Lovlina relied more on her jabs and hooks rather than uppercuts, allowing the Chinese boxer to move forward.
Bao managed to land a jab that pushed Lovlina towards the ropes. The Indian responded by going into another clinch and then found success with a few punches towards the end of the round.
Those exchanges impressed the judges, who scored the second round 4-1 in Lovlina’s favour.
With two rounds in the bag, the Indian boxer was firmly in control of the contest.
Defensive Masterclass Seals Gold
The final round was largely about control and composure for Lovlina. Rather than taking unnecessary risks, she focused on defending and managing the contest.
Bao became increasingly desperate and attempted stronger attacks as she looked to overturn the deficit. Lovlina stayed composed and maintained her defensive approach throughout the three minutes.
By the time the final result was announced, the outcome appeared to be a formality. The Indian contingent erupted in celebration as Lovlina’s unanimous-decision victory was confirmed.
The gold medal was not only a birthday present but also a significant moment for Indian women’s boxing at the Asian Games.
Lovlina Completes Her Redemption
Lovlina had entered the Asian Games with a point to prove after settling for silver at the Commonwealth Games following a defeat to Australia’s Emma-Sue Greentree.
Rather than allowing the setback to affect her, Lovlina used it as an opportunity to analyse her performance and identify areas for improvement.
Ahead of the Asian Games, she had told India Today that she had studied what she could have done better and wanted to become more complete and consistent in the ring.
That approach was evident in her performance in the final.
Lovlina remained disciplined, used her reach effectively and avoided unnecessary exchanges when Bao attempted to increase the pressure.
Her unanimous-decision victory over the Chinese boxer secured the women’s 75kg gold and brought an end to India’s 12-year wait for a women’s boxing gold at the Asian Games.
For Lovlina, the triumph completed a redemption journey — and delivered a golden birthday she is unlikely to forget.
