Glasgow, July 23: Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain has guaranteed India its first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after receiving a direct entry into the semifinals of the women’s 75kg boxing event.
The 28-year-old Assamese boxer secured a bye to the last four, ensuring at least a bronze medal under Commonwealth Games boxing rules, where both losing semifinalists are awarded bronze medals. Lovlina will begin her campaign on July 31, with a place in the final at stake.
India has sent a 124-member contingent to Glasgow, competing across 10 sports in this edition of the Commonwealth Games. The event is being held from July 23 to August 2 in Scotland, with the opening ceremony taking place at the OVO Hydro arena.
Two-time Commonwealth Games medallist and Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu has been named India’s flag-bearer for the opening ceremony.
Lovlina, who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, remains one of India’s biggest medal hopes in boxing. Her automatic progression to the semifinals has given India an early boost even before the official start of the competition.
The Commonwealth Games boxing competition follows a knockout format, with both semifinal losers receiving bronze medals, unlike many other international tournaments that feature a separate bronze-medal playoff.
With Lovlina already assured of a podium finish, India has opened its medal account before the Games gather full momentum. The experienced boxer will now aim to convert her guaranteed bronze into a silver or gold as she begins her campaign in the semifinals later this month.
