Lovlina Borgohain Vs Li Qian Quarter-Final Highlights, Paris Olympics: Indian Boxer Loses Narrowly, Misses Medal

The much-awaited bout between India's Lovlina Borgohain and China's Li Qian is slated to begin at 3:02pm IST. Win this, and Lovlina will be guaranteed her second Olympic medal. She had bagged bronze in Tokyo, and is looking to go all the way in Paris. (Streaming | Medal Table | Schedule & Results)

The 26-year-old Lovlina began her Paris 2024 campaign on a strong note with a 5-0 unanimous-decision win over Norway’s Sunniva Hofstad. Qian had similarly commenced with a 5-0 victory over Philippines' Hergie Bacyadan.

Though we are only in the quarter-finals, the victor of this bout is guaranteed a medal as there is no bronze-medal bout in boxing. Both the losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze, and this is because of historical reasons. A knockout to a boxer threatens concussion, and getting that player to compete again for the third place was deemed risky.

While we wait for Lovlina's bout to begin, the Indian hockey team and long jumper Jeswin Aldrin are in action. The pulsating quarter-final between India and Great Britain has gone to penalty shoot-outs, while Aldrin has fouled his first two jumps.

We are all set for the bout to begin. Both boxers put their headquards on, mindful of the recent history between them. Lovlina will be trying to recall her victory at the World Championships in Delhi, and seeking to replicate that.

The opening round begins, and a somewhat cagey start from the two boxers. Yet to have any clear punches landing from either Lovlina or Qian.

Lovlina narrowly loses the first round, with Li Qian getting 10s from three judges while the Indian gets two. Pretty neck-and-neck, so enough scope for Borgohain to turn this around.

Lovlina just about wins the second round by a 3-2 margin. This is a really close bout, and the third round will be decisive.

Another disappointing result for the Indian contingent in general, and the boxing squad in particular. Lovlina goes down by a narrow margin after a closely-fought bout against Li Qian. The split overall decision goes 4-1 in favour of the Chinese, and with that, the Indian boxing campaign in Paris is over.

None of the Indian boxers could win enough bouts to stay in medal reckoning at Paris 2024. Amit Panghal (men's 51 kg) lost in the round of 16, Nishant Dev (men's 71 kg) in the quarter-finals, Nikhat Zareen (women's 50 kg) in the round of 16, Preeti Pawar (women's 54 kg) in the round of 16, Jaismine Lamboria (women's 57 kg) in the round of 32 and Lovlina Borgohain (women's 75 kg) in the quarters.