GUWAHATI, March 10 - Assam Amateur Boxing Association (AABA) and Assam Olympic Association (AOA) congratulated Lovlina Borgohain for making it to the Tokyo Olympics.
Lovlina confirmed her berth after reaching semifinals in the Asian/Oceanian Olympic Qualifier in Amman, Jordon on Sunday.
Lovlina is the second boxer from Assam to qualify for the Olympics. Earlier Shiva Thapa qualified twice for the Olympics, in 2012 (London) and in 2016 (Rio de Janeiro).
Addressing the media in a press conference here today, AOA secretary general Lakhya Konwar said that Lovlina has great prospect of winning a medal in Tokyo. �Lovlina has been doing well in all international events and went down to world�s champion boxers. She already gained adequate experience in the international arena and we hope she will utilise her experience in the coming Olympics where she will fight in the 69kg weight category�. Konwar, however, revealed that the Assam woman boxer will definitely have to face tough challenge from Chinese and European opponents.
He also praised the officials of the AABA for their effort in producing a good number of internationally famed boxers. �During the recently held Khelo India, Assam bagged as many as 19 medals including a gold and for this the AABA officials and the coaches definitely deserve credit,� he said.
The AABA secretary Hemanta Kumar Kalita, while congratulating Lovlina said, if she gets a good draw then the Assam boxer will definitely move to the top. �In Rio Shiva had to face Robeisy Ramiraz of Cuba in the very first round, it was bad luck for him as finally the Cuban boxer won gold medal in that category,� Kalita said. He further clarified that if by any means the Tokyo Olympics is postponed, Lovlina�s berth will be intact.
He also said that lanky Lovlina is working hard for fighting at the top stage so that after quarterfinal she can maintain the winning form intact.
Kalita, however, rued the inadequate and sub standard training facilities in the State.
Konwar said that the State Government will provide all possible support for world�s top class training if necessary.
AABA president Kali Kanta Boro along with other officials were also present on the occasion.
