‘The expectations from me have gone up’
“I have both time and knowledge about my training. So, I am very optimistic about Paris 2024,” says Lovlina Borgohain.
Lovlina Borgohain attained instant celebrity status when she won her women’s welterweight quarterfinal clash at the Tokyo Olympics. Lovlina’s 4-1 win over Chen Nien-chin of Chinese Taipei ensured a bronze medal, making her only the third Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal, after Vijender Singh (men’s middleweight bronze, Beijing 200■) and M. C. Mary Kom (women’s flyweight bronze, London 2012).
Although she was overwhelmed by all the outpouring of love and support, Lovlina said she “hasn't changed [as a person]. Only the expectations from me have gone up. I want to stay focused on my goal and take everything else in my stride. That said, I am enjoying all the adulation. But sometimes, you need your space.”
Speaking at Sportstar’s first-ever North-east Sports Conclave, Lovlina revisited the moment she assured India of a medal. “I usually don’t react too much after a win but after beating my opponent in the quarters, the pent-up emotions got better of me and I let out a scream. The fact that I finally got one over Chen Nienchin, who had beaten me four times before that bout, made the moment extra special,” she said.
Lovlina also delved into her journey in the lead-up to the Olympics with disarming honesty. “This year’s Olympics was different for everyone because of the ongoing pandemic. There was talk about cancelling the Olympics... so, I was a little scared because that would’ve shattered my long-standing dream of winning an Olympic medal.
“After qualifying for the Olympics in March 2020, I had to be indoors for six months because of lockdown. There were no training centres in my hometown. That compounded the challenges. The roads in my village weren’t ideal even for running, so I had to depend on whatever equipments I had at home. Then Sports Authority of India also sent me some pieces of equipment. In between, my mother fell sick .... six months got over, the lockdown was lifted gradually, and our camp began. I tested positive for COVID-19 in October 2020 and missed the Indian boxing contingent’s trip to Italy in November,” Lovlina said.
She eventually recovered from Covid, but more challenges awaited the 24-year-old pugilist. “I joined the women’s national camp. There again, many boxers tested positive. I didn’t catch the infection, but we were all sent home. So, I couldn’t train properly before the Olympics. I stayed back in Delhi for a month and did my strength and conditioning training. Then, we were taken to the Army Institute of India in Pune, where I was sparring with male boxers because there were no female boxers. But along the way, I suffered a few injuries because of the sudden switch to high-intensity training. I also fractured my leg just before the Olympics. So, there was a lot of stress.
“But not for once did the thought of giving up cross my mind. I was determined to do well, come what may. I had to plaster my fracture, but I didn’t do that and continued my training. If I had undergone a year-long training without any disruptions, I am sure I could’ve won the gold. Now, I have both time and knowledge about my training. So, I am very optimistic about Paris 2024.”