Nishio (Japan), Sep 30 (PTI) Lovlina Borgohain scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman boxer to reach back-to-back Asian Games finals, while debutants Priya Ghanghas and Kapil Pokhariya settled for bronze medals here on Wednesday.
Last edition”s silver-medallist Lovlina edged reigning 70kg world champion Natalya Bogdanova of Kazakhstan 3-2 in a closely fought 75kg semifinal to assure herself of at least a silver.
However, 20-year-old Priya, making her Asian Games debut, went down 1-4 to former world champion Yang Chengyu of China in a bruising 60kg semifinal.
Another Indian debutant, Kapil suffered a similar 1-4 defeat against reigning world champion Turabek Khabibullaev of Uzbekistan in the 90kg semifinal to settle for bronze.
India will thus have three boxers — Lovlina, Parveen Hooda (65kg) and Ankush Panghal (80kg) fighting for gold in Friday.
Indian boxers have already bettered their medal tally from the previous edition, with six medals assured this time compared to four in 2023, when they won one silver and three bronze.
Alongside Priya and Kapil, super-heavyweight boxer Narender Berwal will also go home with a bronze medal.
Lovlina holds nerve against Bogdanova
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Lovlina overcame a slow start to edge past Kazakhstan’s Bogdanova in a closely fought contest, with a dominant second round proving decisive.
“It was an excellent experience because this is my second Asian Games, and last time I had a silver medal. So this time I will definitely try to get a gold medal. Let’s see what happens in the final,” Lovlina said.
“I feel very good, because this was a very tough match for me. I lost the first round, and the second round I won 5-0. So it was a tough fight for me, but I won.”
The Indian began cautiously and struggled to find her rhythm in the opening round, allowing Bogdanova to take it 3-2 on the judges” cards.
Lovlina responded emphatically in the second, stepping up her aggression and landing cleaner, more effective punches. She remained composed despite Bogdanova”s late flurry and swept the round 5-0 to gain the advantage heading into the decider.
The Kazakh came forward once again in the third, while Lovlina relied on her defence and counter-attacks. Bogdanova landed a strong left hook to edge the round 3-2.
But Lovlina had done enough across the three rounds, leading on three of the five judges” scorecards to secure the split-decision victory.
The Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist will face China”s Ziyi Bao in the final.
Interestingly, Lovlina had lost to another Chinese boxer, Li Qian, in the middleweight final at the previous edition.
“The final will be tougher for me. I will give my 100% and then definitely the result will be mine. I will be playing against a Chinese opponent, so it will be tough, but I have the blessings and support of everyone. The coaches have told me to play my best, and I will try my level best.
“I am hopeful that I will be able to do it this time,” Lovlina said.
Priya’s inexperience exposed
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Priya, who has competed in only a handful of international events, found the gulf in experience against 30-year-old Yang, a former world champion and 2025 World Championships bronze medallist.
Yang started aggressively, with Priya responding with a flurry of counter-punches. The Indian threw a high volume of punches but struggled to find the target with enough accuracy.
Priya, the reigning Asian and Commonwealth Games champion, fared slightly better in the second round, taking the initiative early and showing greater composure in picking her moments. The two traded punches in a fierce spell, but Yang once again did enough to edge the round.
The final three minutes followed a similar script, with Yang maintaining the upper hand to secure a 4-1 victory and leave the young Indian with a bronze medal.
“I feel better because it”s the first Asian Games where I won a bronze medal for India. So next time I hope I win a gold medal.
“I will train very hard for next time, and I am sure I will win a gold medal for India at the Asian Games and the next world championship also. I am very proud of myself because this is my first Asian Games,” Priya said.
Kapil falls to world champion
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It was always going to be a tall task for Kapil against reigning world champion Turabek, and the Uzbek lived up to his billing with a composed display.
Kapil paid the price for being too passive, showing little attacking intent despite being solid in defence. Turabek was quicker from the outset and immediately took the initiative, landing a sharp combination of jabs and hooks.
The Indian connected with a few clean punches, but the exchanges remained scrappy, with both fighters missing their targets at times. Turabek, however, was more precise with his work and landed a solid punch squarely on Kapil”s face.
In the closing minutes, the Uzbek moved intelligently around the ring, biding his time and picking his moments rather than getting drawn into unnecessary exchanges.
Kapil was unable to produce the late surge he needed as Turabek closed out the bout 4-1 to secure his place in the final and leave the Indian with a bronze medal. PTI APA/PDS ATK APA
APA
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