Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain lost to reigning world champion Busenaz Surmeneli of Turkey in the Olympic semifinals. It wasn’t a bad outing from Lovlina who secured a bronze medal for the country in what was her first Olympic event. India earned a bronze medal at the Olympics in boxing after nine years, with MC Mary Kom being the previous pugilist to do so.

Surmeneli began the bout by attacking Lovlina with a barrage of punches. The referee warned Lovlina on a couple of occasions as she continued landing punches despite the referee calling stop. At the end of the second round, the judges deducted one point from Lovlina’s tally as she continued to make the same mistake. 

Lovlina has become only the third Indian boxer to ensure a podium finish at the showpiece after Vijender Singh (2008) and M C Mary Kom (2012).

Lovlina had defeated Chinere Taipei’s Nien-Chin Chen to reach women’s welterweight quarter-finals before.

Speaking to Times Now after the match, Lovlina said she wanted to win a gold medal but was happy with a bronze.

“I wanted to win a gold medal, I was confident, I did not meet the expectations but I am happy to have won a bronze medal for the country. I want to continue doing well and win more medals for my country,” Lovlina told Times Now.

Lovlina also thanked the people of Assam who have been holding prayers for her back home.

“Yes, I am excited. I have not gone home for one year now. I want to go home and meet my parents, meet people of Assam who have prayed a lot for me. They have held prayers for me, prayed every day for my performance. I would want to thank all of them. I would dedicate this medal to my nation,” Lovlina added.