The silver medal in Glasgow gave Lovlina Borgohain more than disappointment. It gave her questions.
What could she have done earlier? Which openings did she miss? Where did her rhythm break down? And what would it take to ensure those small moments went her way the next time?
At 28, Borgohain understands that a boxing career is rarely defined by a single result. Tokyo brought an Olympic breakthrough. Paris brought disappointment. Glasgow delivered her first Commonwealth Games medal, but the silver after a final defeat to Australia’s Emma-Sue Greentree left her wanting more.
Each major tournament has shaped her differently. Every setback has forced her to examine her game more closely.
Now preparing for another Asian Games campaign in the 75kg category, Borgohain brings with her the experience of competing on some of the biggest stages in the sport, including the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
The medals are already there. So are the difficult lessons. The hunger remains.
Learning From Glasgow
Borgohain’s first Commonwealth Games medal came in Glasgow, where she reached the final before losing to Greentree. Rather than allowing the defeat to linger, she reviewed the bout with her team and identified the moments she could have handled differently.
“The biggest thing I take from the Commonwealth Games final is that at this level, small things can make a difference. I felt I had prepared well, but there are always areas where you can improve after a fight,” she said.
“I have taken the positives from Glasgow, studied what I could have done better and now I want to work on those areas in training. The Asian Games will be another big challenge, and my focus is on being more complete and consistent in the ring.”
Looking back at the final, Borgohain believes she needed to be more proactive.
“I think I could have been more proactive in certain phases of the fight and made better use of my opportunities. Against a strong opponent, you cannot afford to let too many moments pass without making them count,” she said.
“I have watched the fight with my team and understood where I can improve, particularly in terms of creating opportunities and maintaining my rhythm. Losing a final is disappointing, but it also gives you a very clear idea of what you need to work on.”
That willingness to dissect a defeat rather than dwell on it has become central to her development.
Finding Her Way Back
The period after the Paris Olympics was difficult for Borgohain, but she says the key to moving forward was maintaining faith in herself.
“I think the most important thing was not losing belief in myself. Sport is never a straight line. There are good phases and difficult phases, but you have to continue working even when the results are not immediately coming your way,” she said.
“I focused on my training, listened to my coaches and tried to take things one day at a time. My motivation has always come from wanting to improve as a boxer, and that helped me come through the difficult period.”
With two Olympic appearances and several major tournaments behind her, Borgohain also feels experience has changed how she handles the pressure surrounding big events.
“The biggest change is my experience. Before Tokyo, everything was new and there was a lot that I was experiencing for the first time. Now I understand much better what comes with competing at a major event, the attention, the expectations, the environment and the pressure,” she said.
“I have learned to focus more on the fight itself rather than everything happening around it. I think that maturity has helped me.”
Representing India inevitably brings expectations, but Borgohain says she has learned to keep that pressure outside the ring.
“The expectations are part of representing India, and I see them as something positive. Of course, there is pressure, but I try not to carry all of it into the ring,” she said.
“Once the fight starts, it is just me, my opponent and the plan we have worked on. With experience, I have become better at separating the external expectations from what I need to do as an athlete.”
A Different Boxer at 75kg
The move from 69kg to 75kg has been another defining chapter in Borgohain’s career.
“The move to 75kg changed many things. At 69kg, there were certain advantages in terms of my physical attributes, but at 75kg I have faced opponents who can match me more closely in terms of size, strength and reach,” she said.
“So I have had to become more adaptable. My strength and endurance have had to improve, and tactically I have had to become more patient and smarter about how I use my movement, reach and combinations.”
The adjustment, she believes, has ultimately made her a more complete fighter.
“The move has made me a more complete boxer.”
Despite having already won medals at the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, Borgohain does not consider her journey finished.
“There are still big goals left. I am proud of everything I have achieved, but I don’t think an athlete should ever feel that the journey is complete,” she said.
“Every medal has taught me something and also made me hungrier to achieve the next one. I have won medals at all these major events, but I still have things I want to accomplish, and that keeps me motivated every day.”
Another Asian Games, Another Opportunity
Borgohain heads into the Asian Games with the experience of having already reached the final in Hangzhou. She believes that knowledge of the environment can help, while recognising that every tournament presents a new challenge.
“Yes, definitely. Having already competed at the Asian Games and reached the final gives me valuable experience. I know what the environment is like and what it takes to compete there,” she said.
“At the same time, every edition is different and every opponent brings a different challenge. So I will take the confidence from my previous experience, but I will also approach this edition with the same hunger and focus.”
The Indian women’s boxing team also enters the Games with confidence following strong performances at the Commonwealth Games.
“There is a very positive atmosphere in the women’s boxing team. When one boxer performs well, it gives confidence to everyone because we all train together and understand the work that goes into these performances,” Borgohain said.
“The Commonwealth Games results are definitely encouraging, but we also know that the Asian Games will bring a different level of competition. We want to carry that confidence forward while continuing to work hard and stay focused.”
For Borgohain, confidence can help, but preparation and discipline remain crucial when fights are decided by a handful of exchanges.
Beyond the Medals
Borgohain’s association with adidas has also been part of her journey. She says the partnership has reinforced the importance of recognising the athlete beyond results.
“For me, having the support of a global sports brand has reinforced the importance of believing in the athlete beyond just the results,” she said.
“Sport is about the work that happens every day, the training, discipline, recovery and the mindset required to keep improving. Being associated with adidas has also given me the confidence that my journey and my story can inspire people beyond the boxing ring. That is something I value a lot.”
Perhaps that best captures where Borgohain stands today.
Her story is no longer only about medals. It is also about the setbacks she has navigated, the changes she has made and the goals that remain.
She has moved up a weight category, rebuilt herself after difficult periods and learned to treat defeats as lessons rather than full stops.
There are still fights she wants to win and milestones she wants to reach.
But when her boxing career eventually ends, Borgohain hopes her legacy will extend beyond the numbers beside her name.
“I would like people to remember the journey more than just the medals. Medals are important, but they are only one part of an athlete’s story,” she said.
“I would want people to remember that I kept fighting, kept working and did not give up when things became difficult.”
And then comes the sentiment that perhaps best defines what she wants her career to represent:
“If my journey can inspire even one young person to believe in themselves and continue pursuing their dream, that would mean a lot to me.”
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