Lovlina, Priya, Kapil Storm Into Asian Games Semifinals, Assure India of Three More Boxing Medals

Nagoya, Sep 28: India's boxing campaign at the Asian Games received a major boost on Monday as Lovlina Borgohain, Priya Ghanghas and Kapil Pokhariya advanced to the semifinals in their respective categories, assuring the country of three more medals.

Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina registered a commanding 5-0 unanimous decision win over South Korea's Seong Suyeon in the women's middleweight (75kg) quarterfinal.

The victory secured Lovlina her second successive Asian Games medal. She had won silver at the previous edition in Hangzhou in 2023. Lovlina, who also claimed a Commonwealth Games silver last month, will face reigning 70kg world champion Natalya Bogdanova of Kazakhstan in the semifinal.

"I'm very happy because this was my first match, and I did well. I have fought her twice before," Lovlina said after the bout.

The Assam boxer added that Japan held a special place in her career, recalling her bronze-medal-winning performance at the Tokyo Olympics. "It feels very special to me. Japan is very special to me because my life changed because of Japan. I won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics," she said.

"Last time at the Asian Games I won a silver medal, so I will try to change the colour this time," she added. Lovlina began aggressively against Seong, using her jab and cross to establish control.

Although the South Korean enjoyed a slight height advantage and tested the Indian with combinations in the second round, Lovlina's quicker movement and cleaner punches helped her secure the unanimous verdict.

Priya Stages Gritty Comeback to Reach Last Four

Earlier, Asian Championship gold medallist and reigning Commonwealth Games champion Priya Ghanghas staged a gritty comeback to defeat Tajikistan's Mijgona Samadova by unanimous decision in the women's 60kg quarterfinal.

Priya started cautiously and struggled initially against Samadova's range and experience. The Tajik boxer took the opening round on three of the five judges' cards.

The Indian, however, made significant adjustments in the next two rounds. She increased her combinations, found her target with straight punches and took control of the centre of the ring.

Samadova attempted to disrupt Priya's rhythm by closing the distance and tying her up, but the Indian maintained her composure and overturned the early deficit to book her place in the semifinals.

Kapil Pokhariya Throws His Weight in 90kg Quarterfinal

Kapil Pokhariya completed the trio of Indian semifinalists with a 5-0 victory over South Korea's Kim Gichae in the men's 90kg quarterfinal.

With the three victories, India have now assured themselves of at least six boxing medals at the continental tournament, with Parveen Hooda (65kg), Ankush Panghal (80kg) and Narender Berwal (+90kg) having already secured podium finishes.

India's haul has consequently surpassed the four-medal tally from the previous edition.