New Delhi [India], October 2 (ANI): Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya hailed Indian boxers Lovlina Borgohain and the archery duo of Dhiraj Bommadevara and Kumkum Anil Mohod for his or her historic medal wins on the ongoing Asian Games 2026.Â
Lovlina made historical past on her twenty ninth birthday, overcoming China’s Bao Ziyi 5-0 within the girls’s 75kg remaining to safe India’s first-ever purpose on this class. On the opposite hand, Indian archers Dhiraj and Kumkum secured India’s first-ever combined recurve archery silver medal after shedding 3-5 to China’s Zhu Jingyi and Li Mengqi within the gold-medal match on Friday.
Posting on X, Mandaviya wrote for Lovlina, ‘HISTORIC GOLD FOR BHARAT! Heartiest congratulations to Lovlina Borgohain on successful the primary ever Gold Medal within the Women’s 75kg weight class boxing occasion on the Asian Games 2026. The complete nation is happy with you! #Cheer4Bharat.’
https://x.com/mansukhmandviya/status/2105892528646201843
Congratulating Dhiraj and Kumkum, he wrote, ‘A HISTORIC SILVER FOR BHARAT! Â Â Congratulations to Dhiraj Bommadevara and Kumkum Anil Mohod on securing the first-ever Silver Medal within the Recurve Mixed Team occasion at #AsianGames2026. #Cheer4Bharat’.Â
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Coming to the boxing conflict, Lovlina produced a composed efficiency within the gold-medal bout, utilizing her counter-punching successfully in opposition to an aggressive Bao to safe a unanimous victory, in keeping with ESPN.
The Chinese boxer began the competition on the entrance foot and threw a flurry of punches within the opening spherical, however Lovlina remained affected person and responded with efficient counters. She edged the spherical 3-2.
Bao continued to press within the second spherical, however Lovlina grew in confidence and landed the cleaner punches. She took the spherical 4-1 to ascertain a 2-0 lead on the judges’ scorecards.
With the gold inside attain, Lovlina maintained her technique within the third spherical, permitting Bao to come back ahead whereas avoiding heavy harm and discovering alternatives to counter. The Indian was awarded the spherical unanimously to finish a 5-0 victory and declare the Asian Games title.
In the combined archery group remaining, the Indian pair, who had defeated Japan 5-3 within the semifinal earlier within the day, struggled to search out their vary within the opening two units and fell 0-4 behind earlier than mounting a fightback, in keeping with ESPN.
China dominated the opening set 38-34 to take a 2-0 lead. Zhu produced two 10s, whereas Li added an 8 and a ten as China established an early benefit.
India once more fell quick within the second set, shedding 35-37. Kumkum managed solely two 8s, whereas Dhiraj contributed a 9 and a ten, however Zhu and Li mixed for 37 to place China 4-0 forward.
Facing the prospect of the match ending within the third set, India responded strongly. Kumkum opened with an 8 earlier than hitting a ten along with her second arrow, whereas Dhiraj added a ten and a 9 to take India to 37.
China wanted 18 factors from their remaining two arrows to seal the gold, however after Zhu’s 10, Li may handle solely a 7. India received the set 37-36 to remain alive at 2-4.
The fourth set went all the way down to the ultimate arrow. India posted 37, with Kumkum hitting a 9 and a ten and Dhiraj including a pair of 9s.
China wanted 19 from their remaining two arrows to win the match. Zhu shot a 9 earlier than Li delivered a ten to take China to 37, which tied the set and helped the Chinese pair seal the gold medal with a 5-3 victory.
The outcome additionally meant India missed out on the automated Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualification quota hooked up to the combined group occasion. China secured the quota by successful the gold. (ANI)