New Delhi – Celebrating her 29th birthday in spectacular fashion, Indian pugilist Lovlina Borgohain lifted the gold medal in the women’s 75 kg division at the 2026 Asian Games, beating China’s Bao Jiyi with a unanimous 5‑0 verdict.

Dominating the Championship Bout

Bao Jiyi tried to seize the initiative early, pressing forward with aggression. Lovlina, however, remained composed, exploiting distance and timing to land crisp counter‑punches. As the fight progressed, she tightened her control, denying her opponent any foothold and earning a clean sweep from all five judges.

India’s First Gold in the 75 kg Category

This victory marks the inaugural Asian Games gold for India in the women’s 75 kg weight class. Earlier editions saw Indian boxers settle for bronze – Kavita Goyat in Guangzhou 2010 and Pooja Rani in Incheon 2014. Lovlina herself upgraded her previous silver from the 2022 Hangzhou Games, completing a historic medal ladder from bronze to silver to gold.

Joining Mary Kom’s Elite Roster

With this triumph, Lovlina becomes only the second Indian woman boxer to top the Asian Games podium, following Mary Kom’s 2014 triumph in the 51 kg division. She also joins the exclusive group of athletes who have earned both silver and gold medals at the Games.

A Tough Road Through the Semifinals

The journey to the final was anything but easy. In the semifinal, Lovlina faced Kazakhstan’s Natalya Bogdanova. After a shaky start, she rallied, increasing her offensive output and ultimately edging a razor‑thin 3‑2 split‑decision win – a milestone that made her the first Indian woman boxer to reach the Asian Games final in two successive editions.

From Olympic Bronze to World Champion

Lovlina’s résumé sparkles with accolades: World Championship bronzes in 2018 and 2019, an Olympic bronze in Tokyo 2020 (69 kg), and a seamless transition to the 75 kg class where she captured gold at the 2022 Asian Boxing Championships and the 2023 World Championships. She also added silver medals from the 2022 Asian Games and the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Her contributions have been honoured with the Arjuna Award (2020), the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2021), and a posting as Deputy Superintendent of Police in Assam (2022).

A Boost for India’s Medal Tally

Lovlina’s gold lifts India’s haul at the 2026 Asian Games to 12 golds out of a total of 70 medals (12 gold, 24 silver, 34 bronze), underscoring the nation’s strong performances in archery, shooting, athletics, kabaddi and cricket.