Paris Olympics 2024 Boxing: Lovlina Borgohain’s campaign comes to an end after quarter-final defeat

Lovlina Borgohain's bid for a second Olympic medal ended in the quarterfinals of the women’s 75 kg boxing category at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Sunday (August 4). In a hard-fought bout, Borgohain was defeated by China's Li Qian with a 4-1 split decision.

Borgohain, who had clinched a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and is the reigning world champion, faced a tough opponent in Li Qian, who herself was a silver medalist at the previous Olympics.

The bout began with both boxers appearing hesitant to launch the first attack, resulting in a tentative start. The first round saw Borgohain and Qian exchanging shots cautiously, with Qian narrowly edging out Borgohain with a 3-2 verdict.

As the second round commenced, Qian adopted a more aggressive approach. Her right straights found their mark repeatedly, while Borgohain was penalized twice for excessive holding. The round concluded with another 3-2 scoreline in favor of Qian to put Borgohain under significant pressure.

The final round saw Qian maintaining her dominance, winning the round 4-1, and sealing her place in the semifinals. Despite Borgohain's valiant effort, her Olympic journey ended with a 4-1 overall split decision in favor of Li Qian.

The loss was a hard pill to swallow for the Assamese boxer, who had entered the Paris Olympics with high expectations following her stellar performances in previous international competitions. Her bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics had made her a household name in India, and her status as the reigning world champion had added to the anticipation.

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India returns with 0 medals in boxing at Paris Olympics 2024 after Lovlina Borgohain’s exit

India’s boxing contingent, consisting of six athletes, has returned from the Paris Olympics 2024 without a medal. This team, featuring four women and two men, carried high hopes for the nation, especially with medal favorites like Nikhat Zareen, Nishant Dev and Lovlina Borgohain in the mix. However, the outcome was far from what the country had anticipated.

Nikhat Zareen faced an early exit after being defeated in the Round of 16. Nishant Dev, just like Lovlina Borgohain, managed to advance to the quarterfinals but suffered a close and heartbreaking defeat, just shy of securing a medal.