Lovlina Borgohain beat two-time Commonwealth Games medallist Caitlin Parker of Australia 5-2 in the final of the 75kg category to win her maiden Boxing World Championships gold medal on Sunday in New Delhi.
The bout went to and fro with the Indian edging out her opponent with a 3-2 margin in the first round before the Australian made a comeback to prevail in the next round by a 4-1 scoreline. Ultimately, the 25-year-old pugilist utilised her vast experience and supreme technical ability to outpunch her opponent and secure her third Worlds medal.
"I feel happy on becoming the World Champion and winning the gold for my country. As the opponent was strong we changed the strategy for the bout according to her gameplay. Our plan was to fight the first two rounds on the front foot and then play counter-attacks in the last round from distance. I had won bronze in 2018 and 2019 so it feels good to change the colour of the medals to gold," said Lovlina after the bout.
This is Lovlina's first World Championship gold after she won bronze medals in the 2018 and 2019 editions. She's also one of only two Indian women, including MC Mary Kom, to win an Olympic medal in boxing. Legendary boxer Mary Kom has won a record six gold medals in the history of the World Championships.
Alongside Nikhat and Lovlina, 2022 Commonwealth Games medallist Nitu Ghanghas (48kg) and three-time Asian medallist Saweety Boora (81kg) were the other gold medallists for the hosts. All pugilists were rewarded with Rs 82.7 lakh ($100,000) each in prize money for becoming World Champions.
This is the second time in history that India have won four gold medals at the Women's World Boxing Championships other occasion being in 2006 when Mary Kom, Sarita Devi, Jenny Lalremliani and Lekha K.C had won gold for the country.
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