Today marks a special day in the life of Lovlina Borgohain as the boxing sensation celebrates her birthday
Lovlina Borgohain secured a spot in the semi-finals of the women's 75kg boxing event at the Asian Games 2023, guaranteeing herself a medal.
She already holds an Olympic bronze medal and gold medals from world and Asian championships, continuing the legacy of Indian women in boxing, initiated by Mary Kom.
Lovlina's Olympic journey began at Tokyo 2020, where she won bronze in the women's welterweight category (69kg), becoming the third Indian boxer with an Olympic medal, after Mary Kom and Vijender Singh.
Born in a remote village called Baromukhia in Golaghat, Assam, Lovlina faced numerous challenges, including poverty, during her early years.
Inspired by her sisters, Lovlina initially took up Muay Thai (kickboxing) as a teenager.
Her introduction to amateur boxing came through a chance encounter with Indian boxing coach Padum Boro during Sports Authority of India's trials.
Lovlina started her boxing training in Guwahati in 2012 and swiftly proved her talent by winning the junior national championship in 2012 and securing silver at the 2013 Nation's Women's Junior Cup in Serbia.
She earned her first major international medal, a bronze, at the 2017 Asian Championships, which led to her selection for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
Lovlina's determination resulted in bronze medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2019 World Boxing Championships in Russia.
Her success in the world championships convinced the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) to send her to the Asian qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she secured an Olympic quota in the welterweight category by reaching the semi-finals.