Asian Games: Lovlina Borgohain storms into semis, assures India another boxing medal

India's star boxer Lovlina Borgohain delivered a commanding performance at the Asian Games on Monday, defeating South Korea's Seong Suyeon 5-0 in the women's 75kg quarterfinal to secure a medal at the continental showpiece.

The victory guarantees Borgohain her second Asian Games medal. The 2023 Hangzhou Games silver medallist will now enter the semifinals with a chance to add another medal to her growing international record.

Borgohain began the bout cautiously as both boxers initially adopted a defensive approach. The Indian, however, soon found her rhythm, landing accurate punches to take the opening round 5-0.

Her reach proved to be an important advantage in the second round. Borgohain used her longer range effectively, mixing well-timed jabs with counter-punches to keep her Korean opponent at a distance. She again convinced all five judges and took the round 5-0.

With the contest firmly under her control, the Indian boxer maintained the pressure in the final round. She stepped forward with a series of powerful combinations and forced the 2010 Asian Games bronze medallist onto the back foot.

There was little doubt about the result by the final bell. Borgohain completed a clean sweep of the three rounds, with all five judges scoring the bout 30-27 in her favour.

The win also added another medal to India's growing boxing tally at the Games. Narender Berwal had earlier assured India of another medal by reaching the semifinals of the men's +90kg category after defeating Thailand's Adthapong Saengtep in the quarterfinals.

India's boxing campaign had already secured medals through Ankush Panghal and Parveen Hooda.

Ankush, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, became the first Indian boxer to guarantee a medal at the ongoing Games after beating Tajikistan's Nekruz Salimov 5-0 in the men's 80kg quarterfinal.

Parveen also booked a place in the medal bracket in the women's 65kg category with a 5-0 quarterfinal victory over Uzbekistan's Navbakhor Khamidova.

Parveen controlled the bout with a disciplined approach, using her reach and movement to maintain distance and land clean punches. Khamidova, a silver medallist at the 2025 World Championships, struggled to break through the Indian's defence as Parveen repeatedly relied on quick combinations and counter-attacks.

With Borgohain, Narender, Ankush and Parveen all assured of medals, India's boxing contingent has made a strong start to the medal rounds at the Asian Games.