New Delhi – Marking her 29th birthday with a historic victory, Indian pugilist Lovlina Borgohain lifted the gold medal in the women’s 75 kg division at the 2026 Asian Games after a decisive 5‑0 win over China’s Bao Jiyi.

Dominating the Championship Bout

Bao Jiyi tried to set the tempo early, but Lovlina kept her composure, exploiting range and timing to land crisp counters. As the match progressed, she imposed her strategy, stifling her opponent’s rhythm and earning unanimous praise from all five judges.

India’s First Gold in the 75 kg Category

This achievement marks the inaugural Asian Games gold for India in the women’s 75 kg class. Earlier editions only saw bronze medals — Kavita Goyat in Guangzhou 2010 and Pooja Rani in Incheon 2014. Lovlina herself upgraded her 2022 Hangzhou silver, completing a rare bronze‑silver‑gold sequence.

Following in Mary Kom’s Footsteps

With this triumph, Lovlina joins Mary Kom as only the second Indian woman boxer to stand atop the Asian Games podium, Kom having won the 51 kg title in 2014. She also enters the exclusive group of Indian athletes who have earned both silver and gold at the Games.

A Tough Semifinal Battle

The road to the final was anything but easy. In the semifinals she met Kazakhstan’s Natalya Bogdanova. After a shaky start, Lovlina surged forward, increasing her output and ultimately snatching a narrow 3‑2 split‑decision victory — a milestone that made her the first Indian woman boxer to reach the Asian Games final in back‑to‑back editions.

From Olympic Podium to World Champion

Her résumé shines with World Championship bronzes in 2018 and 2019, an Olympic bronze from Tokyo 2020 in the 69 kg division, and a seamless transition to 75 kg where she claimed gold at the 2022 Asian Boxing Championships and the 2023 World Championships. She also added silver medals at the 2022 Asian Games and the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The nation has honoured her with the Arjuna Award (2020), the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2021), and a posting as Deputy Superintendent of Police in Assam (2022).

Elevating India’s Medal Count

Lovlina’s triumph pushes India’s tally at the 2026 Asian Games to 12 golds out of a total of 70 medals (12 gold, 24 silver, 34 bronze), underscoring the country’s strength in archery, shooting, athletics, kabaddi and cricket.