Lovlina Borgohain, born on October 2, 1997, in Baramukhia village, Golaghat district, Assam, is a celebrated Indian boxer whose journey from a small village to the global stage is nothing short of remarkable. With a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and multiple medals from the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, Borgohain has carved a niche for herself in the world of sports. 

Early Life and Inspiration

Lovlina Borgohain’s journey into boxing is deeply rooted in her family’s sporting background. Her great grandfather, Hawa Singh, was a heavyweight boxer and a two-time Asian Games gold medalist, setting a high standard in the sport. Her grandfather, Captain Chander Bhan Lamboriya, was a wrestler, further emphasizing the family’s commitment to combat sports.

Growing up in a small village, Lovlina’s early exposure to sports came through her twin sisters, Licha and Lima, who were involved in kickboxing. Inspired by their participation, Lovlina decided to follow a similar path. Initially a Muay Thai practitioner, she transitioned to boxing, guided by the support and sacrifices of her father, Tiken Borgohain, a small-scale businessman who struggled financially to support his daughter’s ambitions.

Path to Success

Early Training and Selection
Lovlina’s formal introduction to boxing came when the Sports Authority of India (SAI) held trials at her high school, Barpathar Girls High School. She was spotted and selected by renowned coach Padum Chandra Bodo, who trained her at SAI STC Guwahati from 2012. Under his mentorship, Lovlina learned the basics of boxing, which laid the foundation for her future successes. She was later coached by Sandhya Gurung, further honing her skills.

Initial Successes
Borgohain’s career gained momentum with notable achievements at various tournaments. In 2018, she won a gold medal at the 1st India Open International Boxing Tournament in New Delhi and a silver medal at the 2nd India Open International Boxing Tournament in Guwahati. Her success at these events paved the way for her participation in international competitions.

2018 Commonwealth Games Controversy
Lovlina’s selection for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the welterweight category was marred by controversy when she was not officially informed of her selection. She learned about it through media outlets. Despite this, she competed in the Games but lost to Sandy Ryan from the UK in the quarterfinals. Ryan went on to win gold in that category.

International Achievements
In addition to her Commonwealth Games experience, Lovlina won bronze medals at the Asian Boxing Championships in Vietnam (2017) and the President’s Cup in Astana (2017). She also secured a silver medal at the Ulaanbaatar Cup in Mongolia (2018) and a bronze at the International Silesian Championship in Poland (2018).

Rise on the Global Stage

2018 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships
Borgohain made her mark at the 2018 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships held in New Delhi, where she won a bronze medal in the welterweight category. This achievement was a significant milestone in her career, showcasing her potential on the global stage.

2019 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships
In 2019, Lovlina competed in the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Ulan-Ude, Russia. She defeated Morocco’s Bel Ahbib Oumayma in the round of 16 but lost to China’s Yang Liu in the semi-finals, settling for another bronze medal.

Olympic Qualifiers and 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Lovlina Borgohain’s Olympic journey began with securing her berth at the 2020 Asia & Oceania Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament, where she won a decisive match against Maftunakhon Melieva of Uzbekistan. She became the first sports women from Assam to qualify for the Olympics.

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Lovlina became the first female athlete and the second boxer from Assam to represent the state on this prestigious platform. She won her initial bouts, including victories over Nadine Apetz from Germany and Chen Nien-chin from Taiwan, which assured her a medal. Despite losing to the world number 1, Busenaz Sürmeneli, in the semi-finals, she secured a bronze medal, marking a historic achievement for Indian boxing.

Continued Success and Recent Achievements

2022 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships
In 2022, Lovlina competed in the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships but lost to Cindy Ngamba in the pre-quarterfinals. Despite this setback, she managed to defeat former world champion Chen Nien-Chin in the first round.

2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships
Lovlina’s resilience and skill were on full display at the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, where she won the gold medal in the 75 kg category by defeating Australia’s Caitlin Parker. This victory reaffirmed her status as one of the leading boxers in the world.

Awards and Recognition

Lovlina Borgohain’s contributions to boxing have been recognized with several prestigious awards:

  • Arjuna Award (2020): This is one of India’s highest sports honors, awarded for her outstanding performance in boxing.
  • Khel Ratna Award (2021): The highest sporting honor in India, recognizing her achievements in the sport.
  • Asom Sourav (2021): The second-highest civilian award of Assam, acknowledging her contribution to sports.
  • Financial Rewards: For her Olympic success, Lovlina received significant financial rewards from various sources, including ₹25 lakh from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, ₹1 crore from the Government of Assam, and additional rewards from the Government of India and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee.

Personal Life and Future Prospects

Professional Management and Government Roles
In 2019, Lovlina signed with sports management firm Infinity Optimal Solutions (IOS) to handle her endorsements and commercial interests. In 2022, she was appointed as Deputy Superintendent of Police by the Assam Government, reflecting her growing influence and commitment to serving her community. Additionally, she was elected as a chair and voting member on the board of directors for the International Boxing Association (amateur) Athletes’ Committee in May 2022.

Future Prospects
Lovlina Borgohain’s future in boxing looks bright. Her continued success on the international stage and her achievements in recent years position her as a leading figure in the sport. With her dedication, skill, and the support of her family and country, Lovlina is set to make further contributions to Indian boxing and inspire the next generation of athletes.

Conclusion

Lovlina Borgohain’s journey from Baramukhia village to becoming an Olympic medalist and a world champion is a testament to her hard work, resilience, and talent. Her achievements, including the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and gold at the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, highlight her remarkable career.