Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain fought valiantly but fell short in her quarterfinal bout against China’s Li Qian at the Paris Olympics 2024. The closely contested match concluded with a 4-1 split decision in favour of Li Qian, dashing Lovlina’s hopes of securing a second Olympic medal.
Tough luck for Lovlina Borgohain
Lovlina, who had previously won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, entered the quarterfinals with high expectations. The bout was intense, with both boxers displaying skill and determination. However, Li Qian’s precision and strategy ultimately secured her victory.
The match began with both Borgohain and Qian quickly engaging in clinches. Neither boxer seemed eager to launch the first attack, leading to frequent holding and clinching, which required the referee’s intervention. Qian appeared determined, while Borgohain was more animated early on.
The Chinese boxer landed clean combination punches and a left hook towards the end of the first round, securing a 3-2 lead. The second round followed a similar pattern, with Qian showing more purpose in her approach. Her right straights found their mark, while Borgohain was cautioned twice for excessive holding. Qian maintained her 3-2 lead, though the scoring was close, with one judge giving her a slender one-point advantage.
India’s🇮🇳 sole remaining boxer🥊 at the #Paris2024Olympics Lovlina Borgohain gives it her all but fails to cross the quarterfinals hurdle in women’s 75 kg. China’s🇨🇳 Li Qian defeats her by a 4-1 split decision.
Hard luck💔, well played Lovlina!👏🏻
As more #IndianAthletes get set… pic.twitter.com/FEOhaqPALA
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) August 4, 2024
The third round saw continued holding and clinching, leaving both boxers visibly fatigued. Qian maintained her composure, keeping Borgohain at bay and landing counterattacks. Borgohain, from Assam, had previously faced Qian in the Asian Games final last year, losing 0-5. She later defeated Qian in the semifinals of the World Championship in 2023 but was recently bested by the veteran in a pre-Olympic tournament in Czechia in June.
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