Lovlina says she chose to continue after a difficult post‑Paris period

Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain said in New Delhi on August 6, 2026 that choosing to continue her boxing career after the Paris Olympics, despite injuries and self-doubt, was one of her biggest achievements, speaking after the Indian contingent met Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya following the Commonwealth Games.

Lovlina, 28, was felicitated by SAI Guwahati during a function in Guwahati on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) and returned from Glasgow as the Commonwealth Games 2026 silver medallist in the women's 75kg category. The Glasgow Games marked her third Commonwealth Games appearance and her first CWG medal; she had made a quarterfinal exit at the 2024 Games. On continuing after Paris she told PTI Videos: "First of all, it was a big deal for me to continue for such a long time. There were many ups and downs after the Paris Olympics. There were many questions as to whether I wanted to continue or not. But I came back and continued. That is a big deal for me."

Reflecting on the team's overall return, Lovlina said she was pleased despite aiming for gold personally: "I have won medals in almost all games and competitions. But yes, it would have been better if I had won gold. I am very happy for my team because they have done so well. Seven golds is a big thing for all of us. I am ready for the Asian Games as well. I have to do better and win gold," she said, as India posted a record haul of 10 boxing medals at the Commonwealth Games.

Foreign coach Santiago Nieva described the Commonwealth Games outcome as a landmark for the squad, saying: "It was a historic result for us. We had some great performances. It gives us a lot of confidence going into the next competitions." He highlighted Sakshi's win in the women's 51kg as evidence of depth, adding: "Going into this competition, I was feeling that in women's 51kg we needed to get a gold medal because just to qualify here, in the selection trials we had three world champions and a couple of youth world champions. It was an extremely strong field and she came through there. "She had a very strong opponent from England in the final, but the way Sakshi boxed and showed her experience looks very promising for the future."

Nieva said attention would soon shift to the Asian Games and the Olympic qualification cycle. World champion Jaismine Lamboria, who recovered from illness only weeks before the Games, reiterated long-term aims: "The main target is the same, LA 2028. Every player keeps improving. We will keep improving." Asked whether entering the Commonwealth Games as the reigning world champion added pressure, Lamboria said: "It motivated me a lot. I was not in a position to do well. I trained for just three weeks. I had to recover and perform," she said.

The Indian camp has set its next confirmed targets as the Asian Games and the Olympic qualification cycle, with Nieva and several athletes, including Lovlina and Lamboria, signalling preparation for those campaigns.