Boxing
'Right moves must be made to keep boxing in LA 2028': Lovlina Borgohain
Boxing has not been included in the initial programme of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. And its inclusion in the Games is awaited.
Lovlina Borgohain won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Star Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain said on Sunday that “all the right moves must be made” to ensure boxing remains part of the Olympics roaster in 2028 at the Los Angeles Games.
Boxing has not been included in the initial programme of the Los Angeles Olympics. And its inclusion in the Games is awaited.
Lovlina, now part of the Athletes Commission of the newly formed Asian unit of World Boxing, also said India will now have a voice in the sport.
"It is a huge privilege to be on this committee as India will now have a voice in decision making," Lovlina told SAI Media in an interaction on the sidelines of the ASMITA Women's Under-17 football final at the SAI campus in Guwahati.
"Till now, India was just an ordinary member with very little chance to raise a protest or point out a flaw in the system. That is going to change now since we will have seven positions in the Asian body,” she added.
"That is a big plus for athletes who want to perform their best and win an Olympic medal," said Lovlina, adding "all the right moves must be made to keep boxing in the LA 2028 programme."
Eyeing a third straight Olympic appearance in 2028 (if the sport is included in the roster), Lovlina said she will take it one step at a time now.
'Target is to play in the World Boxing Cup final in 2025'
Lovlina, who won a bronze medal in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, failed to shine in the Paris Olympics as she returned home empty-handed. But she emphasised that Los Angeles was very much in her plans.
"Tokyo was during Covid times. Paris was a real learning curve. I did my best and have no regrets that I could not win a medal. For every athlete, there are lessons to be learnt and I want to be wiser leading into LA," Lovlina said.
Talking about her preparations for the Los Angeles Olympics, she said, “I am not going to rush my preparations. LA is a long way off and proper weight and injury management will be part of my core plans. Right now, I am not looking beyond the upcoming National Games in Uttarakhand and to do well for Assam is uppermost in my mind.”
With at least three medals, including a gold in the 2023 world championship, Lovlina said 2025 would be a challenging year with the world championships on the cards.
"It will be a target to play the World Boxing Cup Final in India later in 2025," she added.
