NJ Thakuria
Lovlina defeated Chinese Taipei’s celebrated boxer Chen Nien-Chin in the quarter-finals and has an opportunity to create history by winning the semi-final clash as no Indian athlete achieved it.
Guwahati: Assam’s daughter Lovlina Borgohain is facing Busenaz Surmeneli from Turkey in Tokyo Olympic Games after some time (11 am in Indian time) and the entire Bharat is waiting for Lovlina’s success in the semi-finals, who has already ensured a bronze medal in women’s welterweight (64-69kg) category.
Incidentally, Lovlina became the third Indian boxer (after Mary Kom and Vijender Singh) to win a boxing medal at the Olympics. The 23-year-old pugilist defeated Chinese Taipei’s celebrated boxer Chen Nien-Chin in the quarter-finals. She has an opportunity to create history by winning the semi-final clash as no Indian athlete achieved it.
Hailing from Sarupathar locality in eastern Assam, the Arjuna awardee won the gold medal at the first India open international boxing championship held in New Delhi and silver at its second edition held in Guwahati. Lately, she won the bronze at 2019 and 2018 AIBA women's world boxing championships.
However, her today’s opponent in the ring is also a top seed boxer.
Busenaz won the 2019 world championships in the category, where Lovlina won the bronze medal. The Turkish boxer bagged a bronze in the 2019 European boxing championship.
Meanwhile, Assam legislative assembly’s ongoing budget session is to be adjourned for 30 minutes at 11 am to cheer for Lovlina. Following the request of deputy speaker Dr Numal Momin, the assembly speaker Biswajit Daimary agreed to the proposal. Earlier, the State Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution wishing for the pugilist in Tokyo.
A lighting program was organised at Nehru Stadium on Tuesday (August 3) evening, where State chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, sports minister Bimal Bora, information minister Pijush Hazarika, urban development minister Ashok Singhal, revenue minister Jogen Mohan, several office bearers of Assam Olympic Association, and sports enthusiasts were present.
