From Tokyo to Nagoya: Lovlina Borgohain’s long road to the top of the podium

NEW DELHI: Lovlina Borgohain’s Asian Games gold was not just a medal upgrade from silver in the last edition. It was the latest marker in a 15-year career that has taken the Assam boxer through Olympic success, injuries, difficult phases and a mentally demanding Paris 2024 campaign.At the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Borgohain finally changed the colour of her Asian Games medal, defeating China’s Bao Ziyi 5-0 in the women’s 75kg final. The victory, on her 29th birthday, made her only the second Indian woman after MC Mary Kom to win boxing gold at the Asian Games -- 12 years after Kom’s 2014 triumph.For Borgohain, however, the gold's significance went beyond the history books.“It’s still difficult to get out of this moment. I still have the gold medal in my hand," said a beaming Borgohain while lifting the gold medal next to her face.