Lovlina loses to Li Qian, clinches silver in Grand Prix

Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain lost to China’s Li Qian to secure a silver medal in the women’s 75kg contest at the Grand Prix Usti nad Labem in the Czech Republic.

The Paris Olympic-bound Borgohain lost by a 2-3 split verdict in her final bout against the reigning Asian Games champion late Saturday night.

Qian, who is a two-time Olympic medallist and has a three World Championships medals including a gold under her belt, had defeated Borgohain in the summit clash of the Asian Games last year.

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The tournament, being hosted under the aegis of World Boxing, featured four boxers in the women’s 75kg category — Borgohain, Cindy Ngamba of the Refugee Boxing Team, Qian and England’s Chantal Reid — and is being held in a round robin format.

Borgohain managed only one win in the tournament, losing two of her three bouts.

The Assam boxer had registered a hard-fought split decision win in her opening bout over England’s Chantal Reid before losing to Ngamba and Qian. The 26-year-old, who is the lone Indian competing in the tournament, is preparing for a second Olympic medal.

She is one of six Indian boxers who have qualified for the Paris Olympics.