In the ring and on a mission, India’s Lovlina Borgohain kicked off her Paris 2024 Olympics campaign with a bang, dominating Norway’s Sunniva Hofstad in the women’s 75kg round of 16 bout on Wednesday.
The Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist, who is making her debut in the 75kg category, showcased her skill and poise, earning a unanimous 5-0 victory.
Borgohain, seeded eighth in this tournament, faced a fierce opponent in the 20-year-old Hofstad, who came out swinging with an aggressive strategy. But Lovlina, with her trademark composure, deflected her opponent’s punches and countered back, even managing a smile as she controlled the bout.
The third round saw Hofstad improve, but it was not enough to trouble the reigning Asian Games silver medallist. Borgohain’s technical prowess and experience shone through, as she secured her place in the quarter-finals.
Now, all eyes are on Sunday when Lovlina Borgohain will face a familiar foe, Li Qian of the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese boxer, who defeated Lovlina in last year’s Asian Games final, will surely be a tough challenge.
The quarterfinal match is scheduled for 3:02 PM IST. Can Lovlina avenge her previous loss and move closer to a historic Olympic medal?
