Tokyo: Lovlina Borgohain assured India its second Tokyo Olympics medal after she defeated Chinese Taipei’s Nien-Chin Chen to reach women’s 69kg semifinals on Friday. This is a momentous occasion for India after six-time world champion Mary Kom was controversially ousted in the women’s 51kg pre-quarterfinals on Thursday.
The Indian started on a dominating note winning the first round leaving the former world champion with no chance. Punches after punches, Lovlina slowly went into her pursuit of a medal to etch her name into history books.
“I have only heard Mary Kom’s name since I started boxing. It feels really good to have her here with us. She has struggled a lot and I take inspiration from her,” said Borgohain after the match. She will next face Busenaz Sürmeneli of Turkey in the semifinals.
#IND have been assured of their second medal at #Tokyo2020
Lovlina Borgohain of #IND outpunches #TPE's Chen Nien-Chin in welterweight category (64-69kg) to advance to the semis 🔥#Tokyo2020 #StrongerTogether #UnitedByEmotion #Boxing @LovlinaBorgohai pic.twitter.com/JyYlNvGLze
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) July 30, 2021
Meanwhile, in another boxing event of the day, Simranjit Kaur (women’s 60kg) failed to reach the quarterfinal after losing her Round of 16 match 0-5 against Thailand’s Suleeporn Seesondee. India might get another two medals in boxing if Satish Kumar (men’s 91kg) and Pooja Rani (women’s 75kg) win their respective quarterfinal bouts.
India’s only gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics came on the first day from weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu who won silver in the women’s 49kg category.
