Lovlina Borgohain assures India's first medal at Commonwealth Games 2026
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Lovlina Borgohain is competing in the women’s 75 kg category
The Commonwealth Games 2026 get underway on Thursday, July 23, in Glasgow. However, even before the opening ceremony in Scotland, India has already secured its first medal, courtesy of star boxer Lovlina Borgohain.
The 28-year-old from Assam will be competing in the women’s heavyweight section in the Glasgow Games. With only five women competing in this division, she has been given a bye to the semi-finals, assuring her of at least a bronze medal.
Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2026: Updated day-wise India schedule for all sports
Interestingly, this not only marks India’s first medal in the ongoing edition, but Lovlina’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal. She adds to an already glittering medal tally that includes a bronze in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
However, as one of India’s premier boxers, she will look to go deep into the event, aiming for a gold medal. She is scheduled to face Tuvalu’s 20-year-old boxer Tarona Khanum Badi Pasoni Taafaki in the semi-finals, where she will be the favourite to secure a place in the final. The three-round fight will take place on July 31.
Former boxing coach backs women pugilists
Former India coach Mohammed Ali Qamar has thrown his support behind India’s strong female boxing contingent, claiming that the seven women pugilists are capable of each winning a medal.
Also Read: Top five Indian boxers to watch out for at Commonwealth Games 2026
“Boxing has always won medals in the Commonwealth Games. And even this time, the boxers who are going are very experienced. They have won medals in many competitions,” Qamar told PTI. “I am sure India will have a good performance in the CWG.”
Lovlina has already fulfilled Qamar’s prediction that she “will do well”, clinching her first CWG medal even before the tournament gets underway.
Along with her, Jasmine Lamboria, who represented her nation at 2024 Paris Olympics, will be another pugilist who will be eyeing gold, having already won a CWG bronze medal in 2022.
India will be looking to improve upon its tally of 61 medals in the Birmingham Games four years ago. Seven of those medals, including three golds, came from boxing. In this edition, the country has sent a 14-member boxing contingent, including seven men and seven women.
Where and when will Commonwealth Games 2026 take place?
The Commonwealth Games 2026 will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.
Who assured India of its first medal at Commonwealth Games 2026?
India’s star boxer Lovlina Borgohain has assured the country of its first medal in Glasgow 2026.
How did Lovlina Borgohain secure a medal even before the start of Commonwealth Games 2026?
Borgohain is guaranteed of at least a bronze medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after receiving a direct entry into the semi-finals of the women’s 75kg category. She received a bye in the round of 16 and quarter-final rounds.
When will Lovlina Borgohain be in action at Commonwealth Games 2026?
Lovlina will now begin her campaign on July 31, when she faces TKBP Taafaki for a place in the gold medal bout.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.