Indian Boxers Face Tough Challenges at Asian Games 2023
Indian Boxers Gear Up for Asian Games
A file image of Lovlina Borgohain. (Photo:X)
NISHIO (Japan), Sept 21: On Sunday, Indian boxers encountered tough draws as Lovlina Borgohain and Narender Berwal commenced their quarterfinal matches.
The Indian team's remarkable achievements at the recent Commonwealth Games have heightened expectations, yet the competition at the Asian Games presents a significantly greater challenge.
This year's Asian Games includes six weight categories for men and five for women. In the last edition, India secured four medals, comprising one silver and three bronze.
Lovlina, an Olympic medallist who clinched silver in 2023, is just one victory away from earning a medal in the 75kg category, which consists of only eight competitors.
She will begin her journey against South Korea's Suyeon Seong and may potentially face the reigning 70kg world champion, Natalya Bogdanova from Kazakhstan, or Uzbekistan's world bronze medallist, Aziza Zokirova, in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, CWG gold medallist Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg) faces a challenging first match against Aira Villegas of the Philippines, who won bronze at the Paris Olympics.
Reigning Asian Championships gold medallist Preeti Pawar (54kg) has received a first-round bye and is anticipated to compete against North Korea's Pang Chol-mi, the defending Asian Games champion and Olympic bronze medallist. Priya Ghanghas (60kg), another gold medallist from the Asian Championships this year, will face South Korea's Oh Yeonji, a two-time world bronze medallist and former Asian Games champion.