New Delhi: Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain defeated former world champion Nien Chin Chen of China in a women’s welterweight (64-69 kgs) quarterfinals by 4-1 on Friday, reaching the semifinals.
Lovlina sailed into the medal round after defeating Chen in the 69 kgs category. She will be the third Indian to win in this game in the Olympics after Mary Kom and Vijender Singh won the medals for India.
The Assamese boxer had the upper hand in the first round, where she managed to score 3-2. A frustrated Chen delivered straight punches but lost 5-0 in round 2.
The swift Indian boxer outsmarted her experienced Chinese opponent who was constantly under pressure to bridge the score gap.
Lovlina’s dominance and aggression through long-range boxing kept the 24-year old Chen at bay, thereby earning a final 4-1 victory.
The Indian reached the quarterfinals after defeating Germany’s Nadine Abetz on Tuesday. She will now face the 2019 world champion and top seed, Busenaz Surmenellii, in the semifinals on August 4.
(Avya Mathur)