Failure has by no means been an possibility for India’s bronze medal-winning boxer Lovlina Borgohain – whether or not it is in opposition to an opponent within the boxing ring or in opposition to some age-old patriarchy.
From the distant Bara Mukhiya Village in Assam’s Golghat district to cornering glory on the Tokyo Olympics, Lovlina Borgohain’s story is a testomony to her character and braveness that was on show even in her sport in Tokyo.Olympic medal, now not elusiveThe 23-year-old boxer returned with a bronze medal within the girls’s 69kg welter-weight class. In the quarter-final, Lovlina was up in opposition to the previous world champion Nien-Chin Chen of Taiwan, in opposition to whom Indian had suffered losses. But the pugilist from Assam was higher ready this time round. She has watched the movies of her earlier bouts in opposition to Nien-Chen, which helped her through the medal bout.”Isi ladki se 4 baar haar chuki hun (I had lost to her four times earlier), all I wanted to do was prove a point to myself by being fearless against her. I was just looking for revenge,” Lovlina informed Indiatoday.In in a free-wheeling chat.However, Lovlina’s quest for gold ended within the semi-final match in opposition to Busenaz Surmeneli of Turkey.Up in opposition to fairly actually a bully within the ring, Borgohain was utterly out-punched by the eventual gold medallist Turkish boxer, who produced a completely dominating efficiency.What stood out within the semi-final bout was how Lovlina stood her floor and, in opposition to a relentless Surmeneli, by no means allowed her to quiet down.The flamboyant Turkish boxer did not simply out-punch her rival after that but in addition taunted her with some showboating, together with dropping her guard to dare the Indian. Lovlina managed to strike her solely counter-attacking straight hits within the remaining spherical, however it was too late.”I entered the ring to win the bout. However, during the bout, I realised that I might not be able to win it. But I didn’t wanted to quit, so I just kept on going till the last round. Unfortunately, I could not execute what I had planned. I could have done better,” mentioned Lovlina.’Didn’t have a straightforward childhood’Growing up, the pugilist has battled abject poverty and difficult situations at his house to win an Olympic medal.”I have faced a lot of difficulties since the time I have started boxing. It was not an easy childhood. My parents were exposed to scornful comments from society because they have three daughters,” recalled Lovlina.”However, those who used to taunt my sisters and me are praising me. I am just glad that my medal has changed their mentality,” she added.Road to TokyoLovlina’s journey to Tokyo Olympics has not been a straightforward one.Lovlina’s mom, Mamoni Borhohain, underwent a kidney transplant final yr. Lovlina visited her for a couple of days and ended up testing optimistic for Covid-19, a day earlier than she was supposed to go away with the Olympic-qualified group for a 52-day coaching journey to Europe.But even through the making an attempt circumstances, Lovlina by no means gave up on her dream.”For me, those were just hurdles. I knew that if I have to win an Olympic medal, I have overcome these obstacles. I stuck to my mantra — just keep fighting,” mentioned Lovlina.The grand reception Lovlina Borgohain obtained a grand welcome in New Delhi (PTI Photo)Lovlina was given a rousing welcome as she arrived house from Tokyo. Hundreds of individuals gathered at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport to greet Lovlina and different members of the Indian Olympic crew.”Never in my wildest dream, I thought that I would receive such a reception. I was overwhelmed with the reception. I feel thrilled that I am getting so much respect from the people,” mentioned Lovlina.The unfulfilled dreamDespite her courageous efficiency, which helped Lovlina to win a bronze on the Tokyo Olympics, the lanky boxer isn’t glad together with her efficiency.”Winning a medal in Olympics is special. I have dreamt of this day since the day I first started boxing. It has always been my goal.”But my dream is unfulfilled. I didn’t win the gold medal. I’m not glad with my efficiency. The objective is to dwell my dream of profitable the gold medal within the subsequent Olympics,” Lovlina mentioned.It goes to be a protracted street for Lovlina to attain that dream. First, she must show her mettle within the World Championship, Commonwealth, and Asian Games within the subsequent three years. But the welter-weight boxer is aware of the significance of endurance and perseverance and that she is simply off the blocks.