“More than a medal”: Lovlina Borgohain’s emotional return with Asian bronze

Guwahati, April 10: There was a time not too long ago when Lovlina Borgohain stood at the edge of quitting the sport she loved the most.

The ring, once her place of purpose, had begun to feel distant. The noise from outside grew louder than her own belief.

Five to six months later, the smile has returned.

Lovlina signed off with a bronze medal at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, after a 0-5 loss to Uzbekistan’s Aziza Zokirova in the semifinal. But the colour of the medal hardly mattered.

“This is the first medal since 2024 in any major international tournament. It may be a bronze but it means more than a gold to me,” she said.

For the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, the podium finish marked more than just a comeback. It was a reaffirmation of why she chose to endure.

“There were times when I almost thought of giving up boxing. It was about five six months ago. Now when I think of those moments, tears roll down my cheeks. For a sportsperson to give up the game they love the most is the toughest thing,” she said.

Her journey, stretching over 17 years since she first took up boxing, has been built on quiet sacrifices.

“We had to sacrifice so many things in life for medals. Since childhood, we could not sleep even if we wanted to because we had to wake up early for training. There were things we wanted to eat but could not because of maintaining diet. We could not travel with friends, always thinking about training. There are uncountable sacrifices,” she said.

Those sacrifices, she added, now feel worthwhile.

“Now I can cherish the value of a medal. It is years of hard work, sweat and tears. That’s why I am so happy.”

Her return to form in 2026 has been steady. In January, she clinched the national title in Noida. Weeks later, she won gold at the Boxam Elite International meet in Spain, beating England’s Mary-Kate Smith 4-1 in the 75kg final with measured control.

India, meanwhile, finished second in the overall standings at the continental meet, securing five gold medals, one fewer than Kazakhstan, but topping the total medal tally with 16. The women’s team led the charge with 10 medals, including four gold.

Among the medallists was another Assam boxer, Ankushita Boro, who also returned with a bronze.

For Lovlina, however, the medal carried a deeper meaning. It was not just about standing on the podium again, but about staying in the fight when walking away seemed easier.

“I am thankful to everyone who supported me. I will continue to work hard for upcoming events and bring laurels for the country,” she said.