Asian Games Boxing: Lovlina Borgohain settles for a silver, Parveen Hooda wins bronze medal in Asiad

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Asian Games Boxing: India woman boxers Parveen Hooda and Lovlina Borgohain on Wednesday (October 4) suffered defeats in their respective bouts in the ongoing 19th Asian Games, Hangzhou.

However, despite defeat both the boxers finished the podium at the Hangzhou Gymnasium and took the boxing contingent's medal tally to five in the continental showpiece.

While Parveen bagged a bronze medal after losing her semi-final bout, Lovlina - the world champion in the 75 kg category had to contend with a silver - after losing in the final bout. Parveen lost her last four bout in the 57kg category.

Praveen Hooda went down 0-5 against two-time World Champion Chinese Taipei's Lin Yu-Ting in the round of four. Parveen, who earlier secured the Paris Olympic quota by reaching the semifinals, became the fourth Indian boxer to secure a bronze medal at the 19th Asian Games after Nikhat Zareen, Preeti Pawar, and Narender.

The 23-year-old pugilist Indian had earlier defeated China's Xu Zichun and Uzbekistan's Sitora Turdibekova in the round of 16 and quarter-finals, respectively.

Lovlina settles for a silver in Asian Games 2023

Later in the day, the reigning world champion Lovlina Borgohain took on Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Li Qian in the gold medal bout but lost in a unanimous decision. The Chinese who is a two-time Olympic medallist used her experience and never allowed Lovlina to take the upper hand in all three rounds.

The tactics of the seasoned campaigner worked as the Indian - who wasn't getting clear punches - had to turn more aggressive in order to hit the right areas and impress the judges. This move made Lovlina an easier target to earn points and the Chinese exploited it to perfection.

Lovlina (26), who broke her semi-final jinx in March this year during the IBA World Boxing Championships in 2023 in New Delhi, has ended her Asiad debut with a silver medal after securing the Paris 2024 qualification quota. Parveen had also secured the Olympic quota for India after entering the semis.

With that, India's medal tally has swelled up to 74 in all. The Indian athletes have won 16 gold, 27 silver, and 31 bronze medals in the ongoing competition.