Lovlina Borgohain Becomes First Woman Boxer From Assam To Qualify For Olympics

Lovlina Borgohain has scaled new heights by becoming the first woman boxer from Assam to qualify for the Olympics. In her 20s, Borgohain has already carved space for herself near the top among India's leading pugilists.

She will pick up her gloves for the Women's 69kg Welterweight category at the 2020 Summer Olympics to be held in Tokyo, Japan between July and August this year.

Taking note, Assam Chief Minister took to Twitter Thursday to congratulate Borgohain on her feat. "A matter of great joy and pride for us as @LovlinaBorgohai becomes the first woman pugilist from Assam to qualify for the #Olympics," he

A matter of great joy and pride for us as @LovlinaBorgohai becomes the first woman pugilist from Assam to qualify for the #Olympics.

My heartiest Congratulations to you Lovlina. You have our finest wishes for the big moment.

May you continue to shine and succeed. pic.twitter.com/DVqP5EbaI2

A matter of great joy and pride for us as @LovlinaBorgohai becomes the first woman pugilist from Assam to qualify for the #Olympics.

My heartiest Congratulations to you Lovlina. You have our finest wishes for the big moment.

May you continue to shine and succeed. pic.twitter.com/DVqP5EbaI2

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 10, 2021

Lovlina Borgohain: Looking At The Young Boxer's Big Achievements

Borgohain hails from Golaghat in Assam, where her father is a small businessman. Her two older sisters too take an interest in boxing for which they have reportedly held national titles previously. An opportunity by the Sports Authority of India at her school thrust Borgohain into professional training for the sport in 2012.

At 23, Borgohain is already a two-time bronze world champion. She has represented India internationally multiple times, from Kazakhstan to Mongolia and beyond. In 2017, she won gold at the Asian Women’s Championships and in 2018 rose to prominence by making it to the Commonwealth Games.

"I’d say it has been a decent run. I have not performed poorly but it certainly has not been excellent," she said last year to Olympic Channel. "I know the two World Championships bronze are a good effort, but my aim is to win a gold at the international level. I realise I need to work even harder for that."

Last year, Borgohain was the recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award, the sixth Assamese to win it. Her global renown is fast following the steps of boxing veterans Mary Kom and Sarita Devi, as a new generation of champs emerges from northeast India.