Lovlina defeated Taiwanese world champion Nien-Chin Chen to enter the medal rounds, becoming India’s first Olympic boxing medalist since Mary Kom in 2012.
Lovlina secured India its second medal at the Tokyo Olympics. (Reuters photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Lovlina is the third Indian female boxer to win an Olympic medal after Vijender Singh and Mary Kom
- Ajay Singh said he wanted the boxers in Tokyo to fight fearlessly
- Pooja Rani (75kg) and Satish Kumar (91kg +) are also just one win away from winning a medal for themselves
Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh admitted he was nervous when he saw Lovlina Borgohain’s quarter-finals at the Tokyo Olympics. Lovlina defeated Taiwanese world champion Nien-Chin Chen to enter the medal rounds, becoming India’s first Olympic boxing medalist since Mary Kom in 2012.
“I was terribly nervous. We all know Lovlina’s abilities, but we had the nervousness. She made us proud, fought fearlessly and I think if she will fight like that in the semi-finals we have a chance for gold,” said Singh to India Today.
“Incredibly proud of her. Moment of great pride not just for boxing, but for Lovlina’s village, her state and the whole country. I think (it’s a) wonderful sign that boxing is making a difference,” he said.
Pooja Rani (75kg) and Satish Kumar (91kg +) are also just one win away from winning a medal, while Amit Panghal, top seeded in the 52kg category, will also start his campaign on Saturday.
“We can only hope for the best, these are all tough fights. Lovlina defeated the reigning world champion today to reach the medal rounds. Pooja also faces the boxer seeded No. 2. Satish competes against the world champion; everything is tough Fights. We’ll hope for the best, our boxers are well prepared, they’ve trained incredibly hard. They’ve been knocked back a little by Covid but I think their mental state is very good and they are winners, “he said.
“Amit is one of the top ranked boxers in the world, so the hopes are of course very high. But I don’t want to put the burden of expectations on the boxers. I tell them to fight fearlessly for their country and forget what happens. That is the spirit with which they hopefully struggle, “said Singh.
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