Lovlina Borgohain on Asiad gold: ‘A lot of people were praying from Assam. They were lighting lamps in the temple’

Boria Majumdar, Nagoya

History was made in Nagoya on Friday. Not only did Lovlina Borgohain give her a perfect birthday gift by winning a gold medal in boxing. She also became only the second Indian boxer to win an Asian Games gold after MC Mary Kom.

Lovlina defeated China’s Ziyi Bao, the reigning Asian champion, in a commanding performance. She kept the distance and used her reach. It was a tactical masterclass.

In an with RevSportz, Lovlina conveyed her feelings about winning the gold for India. Ajay Singh, the president of BFI, too, reflected on their journey.

Q: Lovlina, you have won the gold medal. You gave yourself a birthday gift. How are you feeling?

A: I am feeling very good and this is the best birthday gift for me. And I had thought that I had to give this gift to myself on my birthday.

So the whole mindset, it was a very hard bout, but I just kept my mindset that I have to win.

Q: Ajay ji, after Liverpool, he told you that she needed a little break. After that, tell us a little about the journey to today.

A: Look, a lot of hard work was put in it. A lot of hard work, both mental and physical fitness that she has worked on.

I think it’s absolutely incredible. And people say that Indian sportspersons are not mentally strong. Look at how strong she is.

Look at where she has come from. And she has come back. In the Commonwealth Games, so many people said wrong things. It was so unfortunate. But that was like a preparation for her. She was coming back, she was on a comeback trail. And with what she has done today, she has shown the whole world that she is a world beater and somebody that the entire country is proud of.

Q: Lovlina, tell us a little about the semi-final and final. In the two bouts, a world champion and a reigning Asian champion.

A: I didn’t see who the opponents were. I had faith in my preparation. And whatever hard work I have done, the experience of so many years, and everyone’s support, because the environment is very good.

The coaches, the BFI, the government, everyone’s support. And the most special thing was that a lot of people were praying from Assam. They were lighting lamps in the temple. So that was very special for me. I just had one focus, that I have to do it. And this time there is a very big opportunity for me.

Q: Lovlina, Japan is giving you honorary citizenship (tongue in cheek). Lovely in Tokyo and lovely here. You have something of Japan with you. I covered you there and I’m covering you here. Japan and you, but more importantly, so many girls will now feel inspired again, seeing you as a role model. Talk to me about that.

A: First of all, Japan is genuinely very lucky for me. My life has changed because of Japan. Today I got this medal again from Japan. A lot of young athletes are coming and getting inspired by me. And I consider myself very lucky that I am able to inspire them.

I will tell them that they should have faith in themselves, no matter what the world says. If I think I can do it, then I can definitely do it.

Q: Ajay, final words. She’s made the start, two more to come.

A: Well, I think it’s a fantastic start. I don’t want to predict. And we have Priya’s medal. And we have Kapil’s medal. And 6 medals out of 11 events.

Last time we had 4 medals out of 13. And we had 1 silver and 3 bronze. So we’ll hugely beat our performance at the 2022 Asian Games. But it’s not done till we get Olympic medals. And Lovlina has to get us an Olympic medal, as do other boxers.

Q: (To Ajay) They have put pressure on you.

A: That’s what we are in this for.

(Transcribed by Sudisha Sinha)

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