Asian Games 2023 boxing: Lovlina Borgohain secures Paris 2024 Olympic quota

India’s Lovlina Borgohain stormed into the final of the women’s 75kg boxing event at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China on Tuesday.

Lovlina Borgohain, an Olympic medallist and world champion, defeated Thailand’s Baison Maneekon by unanimous decision in her semi-final bout to confirm her spot in the gold medal match on Wednesday.

In the fight, Borgohain used her height advantage to steer away from her opponent’s attack, while also landing some effective hooks on the counter. The Indian boxer’s remained defensively disciplined throughout the bout, eventually securing a place in the gold medal bout.

Lovlina Borgohain will fight Li Qian of China for the gold medal on Wednesday.

With the win, Lovlina Borgohain also secured a Paris 2024 Olympic quota by virtue of making it to the final of her division.

Boxing at the Asian Games 2023 is also a Paris 2024 Olympics qualifier event. In men’s events, the gold and silver medallists in each of the seven weight divisions will be issued a quota to Paris 2024. In the women’s categories, four quotas will be on offer for all categories other than the 66kg and 75kg, for which there are two berths on offer like men’s.

However, as National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.

So far, India’s Nikhat Zareen, Preeti Pawar, Parveen Hooda and Lovlina Borgohain have secured Paris 2024 quotas in Hangzhou.

The 19-year-old Preeti Pawar, meanwhile, lost her 54kg semi-final bout against China’s Chang Yuan, the reigning champion, by unanimous decision. Preeti Pawar, who is making her Asian Games debut, had already secured a bronze medal and an Olympic quota by making the semis.

In the men’s 57kg, Sachin Siwach missed out on a medal after losing to China’s Ping Lyu in the quarter-finals by a 4:1 split decision.

Later, Narender Berwal lost in the +92kg semi-finals against Kamshybek Kunkabayev of Kazakhstan by unanimous decision. Berwal finished his Hangzhou 2023 campaign with a bronze medal but missed out on an opportunity to secure the Paris 2024 quota.

Through Preeti, Nikhat and Narender, India have already won three bronze medals in boxing at the Asian Games 2023 so far. Lovlina Borgohain and Parveen Hooda are also guaranteed podium finishes but the colour of their medals is yet to be finalised.