Lovlina turns 29 with golden punch, ends Assam’s 60-yr wait by matching Baruah feat

Lovlina Borgohain after winning the gold medal

Guwahati: Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain ended Assam’s six-decade wait for an individual Asian Games gold medal on Friday, defeating China’s Bao Ziyi 5-0 in the women’s 75kg boxing final at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.The victory, secured on her 29th birthday, made Lovlina only the second Assamese athlete to win individual gold at the Asian Games after Bhogeswar Baruah, who triumphed in the 800m at the 1966 Bangkok Games. Baruah’s winning time of 1:49.4 was a Games record and earned him the distinction of becoming Assam’s first Arjuna Award recipient.Assam did win an Asian Games gold in the intervening years, with sprinter Hima Das finishing first in the mixed 4x400m relay at Jakarta 2018.

Lovlina’s triumph, however, is the state’s first individual Asian Games gold since Baruah’s historic victory.For Lovlina, the medal completes a remarkable comeback after her quarterfinal loss in Paris olympics in 2024.Lovlina is only the second woman Indian boxer after Mary Kom to combine an Olympic medal, a World Championships title, an Asian Championships title and an Asian Games gold. She is also the first Indian woman boxer to reach back-to-back Asian Games finals, converting her 2023 silver into gold in 2026.

Her father, Tiken Borgohain, said the win was especially emotional because Lovlina had wanted to change the colour of the silver she won at the previous Games. “Today also happens to be her birthday. She had spoken about winning this gold,” he said, thanking those who had prayed for her success.CM

, while congratulating Lovlina, said, “There can be no bigger gift to oneself on a birthday than bagging the ultimate honour for the country.

We are so proud of you, Lovlina! The nation is proud of you and celebrates this achievement. Assam awaits your glorious return.”Assam Police on its official X handle wrote: “Our very own DSP Lovlina Borgohain strikes GOLD!..You’ve made Assam Police, Assam and the entire Nation proud!.”Lovlina was appointed as a deputy superintendent of police in Assam Police in 2022 following her medal at Tokyo Olympics.