August 4, 11:20 am IST: Lovlina Borgohain has lost the semi-finals against Busenaz Surmeneli. But, she has bagged a Bronze medal taking India’s medal count to 3.
It has been an all-woman show as far as India is concerned in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. They have walked away with most laurels so far.
On the inaugural day of the Games, Mirabai Chanu clinched a silver in weightlifting, and on Sunday last (August 1) ace badminton star PV Sindhu triumphed in the bronze medal contest.
In between, the Assam-born boxer Lovlina Borgohain assured herself and the country a medal after she entered the semi-final of the women’s 69kg category.
She defeated Taipei’s Nien Chin Chen in the women’s welterweight bout with a score of 4-1.
What is creditable in Lovlina’s achievement is the fact she had met Chen four times before, but had never managed to defeat the Chinese Taipei’s pugilist. Lovlina showed tremendous counter-attacking game to emerge victorious.
The semi-final 69 kg boxing bout between Lovlina Borgohain and Busenaz Surmeneli is scheduled for August 4 (Wednesday) at 11 a.m. IST.
Lovlina’s bout inspired the Indian contingent
After Mirabai’s silver-winning effort, India’s campaign in the Tokyo Games had been patchy till Lovlina’s crucial bout happened. There were disappointments especially in archery and shooting. Even in boxing much fancied names from India bit the dust.
But after the 23-year-old, a two-time World and Asian championships bronze medalist’s quarter final show, there was renewed optimism in the Indian camp. PV Sindhu snapped up a bronze, while Kamalpreet Kaur stormed into the final of women’s discus. And, of course, there was the adrenaline-pumping show from both Indian men and women in hockey. Both the teams have made it to the semi-finals — a historic double.
Up against the top-seeded Turkish boxer
Lovlina had entered the quarter-finals after beating Nadine Apetz of Germany last Tuesday. She will be the third Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal after Vijender Singh (2008) and Mary Kom (2012). Both of them had bagged bronze medals.
But Lovlina hopes to do better and is aiming for the top podium finish. Lovlina, whose twin sisters are kick-boxers too, will not have it easy in the semi-finals. She is up against top seed Busenaz Surmeneli of Turkey. The latter had bagged a gold in the welterweight category in February 2020 at the 64th Bocskai István Memorial International Boxing Tournament.
But irrespective of what happens in that bout, the loser is, in the least, assured of a bronze medal.
In boxing (and other combat sports like wrestling and taekwondo), two bronze medals are given along with a gold and silver. That is both the losing semi-finalists get a bronze each.
Lovlina Borgohain’s bout on August 4 at 11 a.m. IST
The semi-final bout between Lovlina and Surmeneli is set for August 4 (Wednesday), and according to the scheduling, the bout is at 11 a.m. IST.
The official broadcaster of the Tokyo Olympics in India is Sony Sports Network and the coverage will be live on five network channels and 4 languages. It will be available on Sony Six, Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 2, Sony Ten 3 and Sony Ten 4 channels.
If you prefer to watch it on mobile or laptop, you can catch all the live-action on SonyLIV 一 a premium subscription is a must to watch the live-action which will cost Rs 999/year.
Prasar Bharati’s Doordarshan will also air the Games live. Also, Jio users can enjoy free Olympics live streaming on the JioTV application.
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