Lovlina Borgohain beats reigning world champion, joins Parveen and Ankush in Asian Games final
Lovlina Borgohain defeated Kazakhstan’s Natalya Bogdanova 3-2 in a split decision in the women’s 75kg semi-final at the Asian Games 2026, advancing to the final.
She became the first Indian woman boxer to reach back-to-back Asian Games finals and will contest the gold medal bout alongside Parveen Hooda and Ankush Panghal.
Bogdanova entered the bout as the reigning 70kg world champion; Borgohain’s win means India now has three boxers in finals from 11 entries, a total that already surpasses the four medals India won from 13 categories in Hangzhou.
Kapil Pokhariya, making his debut, secured a bronze after losing 1-4 to Uzbekistan’s Turabek Khabibullaev in the men’s 90kg semi-final. “While I am disappointed that I couldn’t make it to the final, I am still very proud of winning this bronze medal. I have been working with my coaches for a long time, and this medal is the result of that hard work. “Every player dreams of representing India on a big stage like this, and I feel very positive about where this journey is headed. Inspire Institute of Sport has supported me throughout, and I am truly grateful for that. “I want to dedicate this medal to my coaches and family, who have believed in me every step of the way,” said Kapil.
Priya was beaten by China’s Yang Chengyu in the women’s 60kg semi-final and finished with a bronze medal in her category.
India has six assured medals at the Asian Games 2026: three bronze — Narender Berwal (+90kg), Priya (60kg) and Kapil Pokhariya (90kg) — and three assured silvers that can still turn into gold. It is the first time India have two women in an Asian Games boxing final.
Parveen Hooda and Ankush Panghal had won their semi-finals on Tuesday to reach the gold medal bouts, joining Borgohain as India’s finalists.
Borgohain, Parveen and Ankush will compete in their respective gold medal bouts, leaving India with three finalists from 11 entries and six assured medals at the Asian Games 2026.