Aichi-Nagoya, Japan: Indian boxing star Lovlina Borgohain celebrated her birthday in unforgettable fashion, clinching gold in the women’s 75kg category at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 with a commanding victory over China’s Bao Ziyi at the Nishio Gymnasium.
The Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist delivered a clinical performance in the final, defeating Bao, the reigning 2026 Asian Championships gold medallist, by a unanimous 5-0 decision to secure the coveted Asian Games gold medal.
The victory also marked a significant milestone in Indian women’s boxing. Twelve years after legendary boxer MC Mary Kom won gold at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, Lovlina became only the second Indian woman to claim an Asian Games boxing gold.
For the Assam-born boxer, the triumph represents a remarkable upgrade from the silver medal she won at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. It further strengthens her position among India’s leading international boxing talents.
Lovlina’s journey to the top of the podium was marked by determination and consistency. She began her campaign with an emphatic 5-0 unanimous decision victory over South Korea’s Seong Suyeon in the quarterfinals, assuring herself of a medal.
The challenge intensified in the semifinals, where she faced Kazakhstan’s reigning world champion Natalya Bogdanova. In a closely contested bout, Lovlina held her nerve to register a 3-2 split-decision victory and book her place in the gold-medal contest.
She saved her best for the final, producing a composed and disciplined performance against Bao to complete her gold-medal run.
Lovlina’s achievement is a moment of immense pride for Assam and the Northeast, a region that has consistently produced athletes who have made their mark on the international sporting stage.
By winning gold on her birthday, the 28-year-old has added another defining chapter to her career, following her Olympic bronze at Tokyo 2020 and silver at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Her triumph also places her alongside Mary Kom in a select group of Indian women who have reached the summit of Asian Games boxing, underlining the growing legacy of Indian women in the sport.
