Lovlina Borgohain wins Asian Games gold, first Indian woman in two AG finals
Synopsis
Lovlina Borgohain turned her birthday into a history-making occasion, winning Asian Games gold with a clinical 5-0 win over China's Bao Ziyi — becoming the first Indian woman boxer to reach two consecutive Asian Games finals, a benchmark that even Mary Kom never hit. With Ankush and Parveen Hooda still to box their finals, India's best-ever Asian Games boxing campaign may not be finished yet.
Key Takeaways
Lovlina Borgohain won the women's 75kg gold at the Asian Games 2026 in Nishio on 2 October 2026 , defeating China's Bao Ziyi 5-0 .
She is the first Indian woman boxer to feature in two consecutive Asian Games finals — a milestone Mary Kom never achieved.
Only the second Indian woman boxer to win Asian Games gold, after Mary Kom .
This is Lovlina's second Asian Games medal , following a silver at Hangzhou 2023 ; she also won a silver at Commonwealth Games 2026 .
India's boxing team has six medals (one gold, three bronze, two finals pending), surpassing its four-medal haul from Hangzhou 2023 .
Ankush and Parveen Hooda are still to contest their finals, with the BFI targeting at least one more gold.
Lovlina Borgohain scripted history at the Asian Games in Nishio on 2 October 2026, clinching the women's 75kg gold medal with a commanding 5-0 victory over China's Bao Ziyi in the final — becoming only the second Indian woman boxer to win Asian Games gold, after the legendary Mary Kom. In a further mark of distinction, the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist became the first Indian woman boxer to contest two consecutive Asian Games finals, a milestone that even Mary Kom never reached.
A Dominant Final on Her Birthday
The victory carried an extra layer of meaning: it was Lovlina's birthday, making the gold arguably the most memorable gift she could have given herself. Her performance in the final was tactically astute — she edged a tight opening round 3-2 before pulling away convincingly, taking the second and third rounds 4-1 each. Four judges scored the bout 29-28 in her favour, while a fifth awarded her an even more emphatic 30-27 card.
The win also adds to Lovlina's growing Asian Games medal collection. She had claimed a silver at Hangzhou 2023, and prior to this tournament she secured a silver at the Commonwealth Games 2026, underlining her consistency at the highest level of the sport.
BFI Chief Hails a Historic Milestone
Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president Ajay Singh was effusive in his praise after the bout. 'Well, it was a very tough match, and absolutely delighted. It is really a historic win. Lovlina is the first woman boxer athlete to be in two Asian Games finals, which is not even the great Mary Kom achieved that. So, very, very proud of her,' Singh said.
He also highlighted the broader significance of the achievement beyond the sport. 'She boxed with such fantastic strategic intent today… wonderful to see and what a role model she is to all the young girls in the country and the girls of the Northeast. Also her birthday, this is the best possible birthday gift that she could have given herself and all of us,' Singh added.
India's Boxing Campaign Surpasses Hangzhou Tally
Lovlina's gold is part of a broader resurgence for Indian boxing at these Games. Singh noted that India had already outperformed its medal haul from Hangzhou 2023, where the team returned with four medals — one silver and three bronze — from 13 events. This time, with two events absent from the programme, India has still accumulated six medals — one gold and three bronze — with two finals still to come.
'This should be one of India's best performances ever in the Asian Games,' Singh said, reflecting on a campaign that has defied the odds given the reduced event count.
Two Finals Still to Come for India
India's boxing story at these Games is not over. Ankush and Parveen Hooda are both set to contest their respective finals, giving the squad at least two more shots at gold. Singh expressed cautious optimism: 'We have two more fights, we'll do our best and hope that we convert at least one of those two into a gold medal.'
If either or both deliver, India could register a landmark boxing haul — one that would firmly place this campaign among the finest in the country's Asian Games history. All eyes now turn to Ankush and Parveen as the tournament heads toward its close.
Point of View
The narrative was Mary Kom, and everything else. Lovlina has now carved her own lane — a two-time Asian Games finalist and a two-time Asian Games medallist, all while competing in a weight class the sport's infrastructure was not originally built around. The BFI's enthusiasm is warranted, but the real measure of this campaign will be whether the federation can convert this momentum into structural investment in women's boxing beyond the Northeast corridor. One gold does not fix the depth problem, but it does make the argument harder to ignore.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Lovlina Borgohain win at the Asian Games 2026?
Lovlina Borgohain won the women's 75kg gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 in Nishio, defeating China's Bao Ziyi 5-0 in the final on 2 October 2026. She is only the second Indian woman boxer to win Asian Games gold, after Mary Kom.
Why is Lovlina Borgohain's win described as historic?
Lovlina became the first Indian woman boxer to reach two consecutive Asian Games finals — a feat the legendary Mary Kom never accomplished. The win also came on her birthday, adding personal significance to the milestone.
How did Lovlina perform in the final against Bao Ziyi?
Lovlina edged the first round 3-2 before dominating the second and third rounds 4-1 each. Four judges scored the bout 29-28 in her favour, with a fifth awarding her a 30-27 card, resulting in a unanimous 5-0 victory.
How has India performed in boxing at the Asian Games 2026 overall?
India has secured six medals — one gold and three bronze — with two finals still to come, already surpassing the four medals (one silver, three bronze) won at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou 2023. BFI president Ajay Singh described it as potentially one of India's best-ever boxing campaigns at the Asian Games.
Who are the other Indian boxers still competing for gold at Asian Games 2026?
Ankush and Parveen Hooda are both set to contest their respective finals, giving India at least two more opportunities to add to its gold medal tally in boxing at the Asian Games 2026.
