Tokyo Olympics: Assam’s Lovlina enters quarters, defeats German boxer 3-2
The 23-year-old, who is making her Olympic debut amid the hype in the run-up to the Games, started cautiously against her accomplished opponent but eventually executed her counter punches with a mix of uppercuts to impress the judges and get the better of the 35-year-old Apetz.
From Our Correspondent
GUWAHATI:
Boxer Lovlina Borgohain, Assam’s lone representative in the Tokyo Olympics, stormed into the quarterfinals of the women’s welterweight (64 to 69 kg) category, defeating a much more experienced German pugilist Nadine Apetz 3-2 in a split decision on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old, who is making her Olympic debut amid the hype in the run-up to the Games, started cautiously against her accomplished opponent but eventually executed her counter punches with a mix of uppercuts to impress the judges and get the better of the 35-year-old Apetz.
Lovlina, who is now just a bout away from winning an Olympic medal, is the first boxer from the nine-member Indian squad to make it to the quarter-finals at the Tokyo Olympics. She had earned a bye to the round of sixteen.
Her quarterfinal bout is scheduled at 8.48 am (IST) on July 30.
Meanwhile, there was jubilation back home in Assam, especially in her hometown at Sarupathar constituency in Golaghat district.
As soon as she was declared the winner, a few crackers were burst in her hometown to celebrate her victory, with her family, friends, well-wishers and supporters now anticipating another strong performance in the quarters.
It may be mentioned that a “goodwill” cycle rally was held in Guwahati last Wednesday with both ruling and Opposition legislators shrugging off political differences to unite as “Team Assam” and ride through a 6-km stretch to express their support to the boxer.
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