Lovlina Borgohain has won a medal in almost every competition except the Commonwealth Games, and she is looking to complete that task this July-August in Glasgow. She has said that winning a Commonwealth Games medal is one of her “biggest goals” this year, and she has made changes to her technique and approach.
“Every medal has its own value, and of course, a Commonwealth Games medal is something I would love to add to my collection. It is one of my biggest goals this year,” Lovlina said.
“At the same time, my focus is on giving my best performance rather than thinking only about the medal. If I perform to my potential, the results will follow.”
She was one of the most consistent performers, but since being crowned world champion in 2023, her performance has been inconsistent. After a below-par campaign at the Paris Olympics, she took a year-long break and returned to last year’s World Championships, where she again couldn’t earn a podium finish.
This year, Borgohain won a gold medal at the Boxam Elite International tournament in Spain, but then had an early exit from the Asian championships. She had admitted that the results had been below her expectations but had given her the perspective needed to rethink her technique.
The rebuilding process involves a new coach, Santiago Nieva, who, according to Lovlina, has brought a fresh perspective.
“We identified a few technical and tactical aspects, especially in maintaining consistency throughout the bout. Those experiences have helped me understand what I need to work on, and we’ve been focusing on those areas in training.”
“Especially in terms of tactics, movement and bout management. His feedback has helped me become more confident and disciplined,” she said.
“My focus is on improving my footwork, timing, defence and combination punching. We’re also working on making better decisions during high-pressure moments so I can adapt more effectively against different opponents.” The transition to 75kg from the welterweight (69kg) division, in which she has enjoyed most of her success, has also required significant adjustments.
In 2022, she added more power to her game while maintaining her speed and movement, which are her strengths. The Glasgow CWG will bring the pressure, but according to Lovlina, experience has taught her to embrace it.
“Pressure is part of being an elite athlete, and I’ve learned to accept it. I try to focus on the process instead of expectations. My goal is to prepare well every day, trust my training and stay mentally calm. The support of my coaches, family and teammates also helps me stay motivated and confident.”
The middleweight (75kg) boxer has earned several medals:
A bronze at the 2020 Olympics in the women’s welterweight division (69kg)
Gold medal in women’s middleweight at the 2023 IBA championships,
A silver in women’s middleweight at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Asian Championships: A gold medal in women’s middleweight at the 2022 Championships in Amman, and Bronze medals at the 2017 and 2021 editions.
A Commonwealth Games medal is what remains for Borgohain to complete her goal this year.
