Boxing | Lovlina loses to Li Qiang to win Grand Prix silver medal

Tokyo Olympic boxer bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain had to settle for silver at the women's 75kg Grand Prix in Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic, after losing to China's Li Qian.

Borgohain, who is set to compete in the Paris Olympics, lost a 2-3 split decision in his final match against the reigning Asian Games champion late on Saturday night.

Qian is a two-time Olympic medallist and three-time World Championship medalist, including a gold, who defeated Borgohain in the summit showdown at last year's Asian Games.

Lovlina said this would be a good help in the run up to the Paris Olympics.

“It was a very good experience for me to participate in this tournament. Winning a silver medal in this tournament before the Olympics was very important for me in terms of preparation. This will be beneficial for him. I would like to thank the Boxing Federation of India, TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) and the government of India,” Lovlina said in a video posted by Mansukh Mandaviya.

Mandaviya praised Lovlina's performance.

“Congratulations to @LovlinaBorgohai for winning silver at Grand Prix 2024. She demonstrated incredible skills. Her success in the boxing ring is an inspiration for future athletes. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors,” the sports minister tweeted.

The tournament, organised by the World Boxing Association, will see four athletes compete in the women's 75kg category – Borgohain, Sindy Ngamba from the refugee boxing team, Chiang and Chantal Reid from Great Britain – in a round-robin format.

Borgohain lost two of his three matches in the tournament and managed just one win.

The Assamese boxer won a tough split decision against England's Chantal Reid in her first bout, but then lost to Ngamba and Chiang.

The 26-year-old, the only Indian competing in the tournament, is gearing up to win his second Olympic medal.

She is one of six Indian boxers who have qualified for the Paris Olympics.