‘OLYMPICS KI JOURNEY ABHI ADHURI HAI’
Boxer Lovlina Borgohain, who won bronze at Tokyo 2020, her debut Olympics, hopes to fulfil her golden dream at Paris 2024
Her childlike smile tries hard to hide her disappointment at not being able to fulfil her ‘golden’ dreams during her maiden Olympics, at the Tokyo Games. Boxer Lovlina Borgohain won a bronze medal and the hearts of billions, but confesses she is “disappointed”. “Mera sapna gold ka tha. Abhi mujhe gold nahin bronze mila, toh meri Olympics ki journey abhi adhuri hai,” says the Arjuna awardee, adding, “Till the time I don’t win a gold medal, I’ll keep fighting!”
The 23-year-old from Assam’s Baromukhia village in Golaghat district, gave it all in the ring to win the boxing bronze in the 69kg category at the recently concluded Games. “It was very difficult, but I knew that going to the Olympics will not come easily,” she says talking about her journey. She became the third Indian boxer –- after MC Mary Kom and Vijender Singh –to win an Olympic medal in boxing till date.
The Tokyo experience has only left her more determined than ever. “I’m happy in spite of all the challenges I faced, I could win a medal for my country, and make my India proud,” says the boxer, who missed a training camp before the Olympics as she was down with Covid-19. “But, I’m not satisfied! I want to turn this bronze into gold,” she asserts.
Borgohain, the first female boxer from her state to qualify for the Olympics, is elated that weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, from Manipur, started off India’s medal haul. “I’m very proud that many women have won medals now. And I hope that more women, from different states, come to the front and win laurels for the country,” she says.
The Olympian adds naysayers repeatedly said boxing isn’t a sport for women. “But mujhe na ko haan mein badalne mein khushi milti hai,” says Borgohain, who already has her sight set on her next target, the Paris 2024 Games. “I’m going to take a vacation once I’m back! Then, I’ll start training again, for the next Olympics,” she concludes.