GUWAHATI: Lovlina Borgohain has already been assured of India's first medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, and she got the news before the opening ceremony even took place
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The Indian boxer received a bye straight into the women's 75kg semi-finals, which guarantees her at least a bronze medal and her first ever Commonwealth Games podium finish, all without throwing a single punch. That's because Commonwealth Games boxing hands out two bronze medals in every weight category, one to each losing semi-finalist, so simply reaching the final four is enough to secure a medal.
The bye happened because only five boxers signed up for the women's 75kg category in Glasgow. That left just one quarter-final, between England's Mary Kate Smith and Nigeria's Patricia Mbata, set for July 28. The remaining three boxers, Lovlina, Australia's Emma-Sue Greentree and Tuvalu's Tarona Taafaki, all advanced straight to the semis without having to fight.
Lovlina will finally step into the ring on July 31, taking on Taafaki for a spot in the gold medal bout. Whatever medal she walks away with, it'll be a first for her at these Games. She was knocked out in the quarter-finals at Gold Coast 2018 and lost her opening bout at Birmingham 2022, competing in the 69kg category both times.
The guaranteed medal also rounds out a remarkable achievement for Lovlina, who has now medalled at every major multi-sport event she's eligible for: the Olympics, the Asian Games, and now the Commonwealth Games too. She already has an Olympic bronze, a World Championships gold and an Asian Championships title to her name. Lovlina was also chosen as one of India's flag bearers at the opening ceremony, sharing the honour with weightlifter Mirabai Chanu.