Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain has shifted her focus to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics following her gold medal victory at the . The upcoming 2027 World Boxing Championships will serve as the first opportunity for qualification.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has announced that medalists from the will receive direct entry into the World Championships, which will take place in Kazakhstan. This event marks the initial official qualifying round for the LA 2028 Olympics. Lovlina aims to leverage this opportunity to secure her spot as quickly as possible.
In a recent interview, Lovlina expressed her determination, stating, “We always strive to qualify in the first opportunity. It’s a significant achievement for any athlete.” She highlighted the advantage of having ample preparation time, similar to the Indian hockey team’s approach. “Our goal is to qualify early, find good timing, and achieve positive results.”
Achieving early qualification would grant Lovlina and her fellow boxers more time to prepare specifically for the Olympics. Athletes familiar with the demands of the sport must prioritize ensuring that the qualification process does not become a prolonged struggle. Securing a ticket to LA28 would provide them with ample preparation time.
Lovlina’s triumph in the Asian Games has bolstered her confidence. However, she does not view this medal as a response to her disappointment in Paris, where she did not reach the podium. Instead, she wishes to relish her achievement without succumbing to pressure to prove herself.
“I haven’t thought about that,” she remarked. “This moment is mine. I just want to enjoy it. I don’t owe anyone an explanation. I don’t need to prove anything. I just want to savor my medal. Everyone works hard, regardless of weight class. Sometimes you win medals, sometimes you don’t. But the effort remains constant. I know we train hard, and every athlete puts in significant effort. There has been a shift in our mindset; we now possess a champion’s mentality, which is why we are performing well. We also receive support from the government, contributing to our success.”
For Lovlina, developing a champion’s mindset begins with trusting the process and, more importantly, trusting oneself. She emphasized, “Believing in yourself is crucial. No matter what the world says, you must never lose that confidence. If you believe you can do it, you will.”
Winning the gold medal at the Asian Games was a moment of pride for Lovlina, especially when the national anthem played as she stood on the podium. This experience encapsulates the challenges and hardships athletes face throughout their careers.
“It feels incredible. We don’t often get to travel the world with our national flag, but when the anthem plays and our flag rises, it’s a special moment. That feeling is every athlete’s dream. Reaching the podium and hearing our anthem is my ultimate goal,” she concluded.