Glasgow [Scotland], July 24 (ANI): Santiago Nieva, the pinnacle coach of the Indian ladies’s boxing group, spoke on Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain’s confirmed medal on the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, saying that the boxer has a ‘beneficial draw’ forward and the purpose is to beat whoever comes her approach.
Borgohain is assured of a medal on the Commonwealth Games 2026 after receiving a bye into the ladies’s 75kg quarter-finals, that means she doesn’t must win a bout to safe a podium end. Boxing on the Commonwealth Games awards two bronze medals in every weight class, with each shedding semi-finalists receiving a bronze.
As a end result, reaching the final 4 ensures a medal, in keeping with Olympics.com. Lovlina’s direct entry into the semi-finals got here because of the small measurement of the ladies’s 75kg draw, which options solely 5 boxers. The class has only one quarter-final bout scheduled for July 28, between England’s Mary Kate Smith and Nigeria’s Patricia Mbata.
Apart from them, Lovlina, Australia’s Emma-Sue Greentree and Tuvalu’s Tarona Taafaki have superior on to the semi-finals.
Speaking as quoted by ESPN, Santiago stated, ‘We have acquired the draw, and in Lovlina’s weight class there are 5 boxers. She has a beneficial draw and can go instantly into the semifinals, the place she’s going to face Tuvalu.’
‘They (Lovlina and Tuvalu) have sparred earlier than in Belfast, and we’re assured that Lovlina is working at the next stage. That stated, she is a tricky opponent and a southpaw, so we must be absolutely ready and carry out at our greatest. On paper, our most important rivals, England and Australia, are on the opposite facet of the draw and can face one another within the semifinals. While the draw is beneficial for us, attaining our purpose would require us to beat whoever comes our approach.’
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist and former world champion will face Taafaki within the semi-finals on July 31, with a spot within the ultimate at stake.
The 28-year-old’s medal might be her first on the Commonwealth Games, regardless of its color. Lovlina had exited the quarter-finals at Gold Coast 2018 after shedding to eventual champion Sandy Ryan, whereas she suffered an opening-round defeat at Birmingham 2022. She competed within the 69kg class at each editions.
The medal may even full Lovlina’s medal tally in any respect main multi-sport occasions she is eligible for, having already received medals on the Olympics and Asian Games, in keeping with Olympics.com. (ANI)