“Overhyped and underprepared” - Netizens slam Lovlina Borgohain for poor performance against top-seeded Li Qian in Paris 2024 Olympics QF bout
Indian pugilist Lovlina Borgohain lost against China’s Li Qian in the quarterfinals of the women’s 75kg event at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Sunday. Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Lovlina failed to win a single round against top-seeded Li Qian, who won the bout by a split decision of 4-1.
After her elimination from the ongoing Summer Olympic Games, netizens took to social media to criticize the 26-year-old boxer for her poor performance in the crucial match.
“Another Olympic flame frittered away on a flimsy excuse for a performance. Overhyped and underprepared, Lovlina's campaign was always doomed to end in disappointment,” one fan posted on X. “Time to reevaluate our boxing program before we embarrass ourselves again. The system is broken.”
One fan commented on the superior athletic preparation of the World No. 6 Li Qian, writing:
“Li Qian was swifter than Lovlina, so Qian landed her punches more accurately and with power. Hard luck for the Indian boxing contingent.”
“Lovlina was playing as if she doesn't know how to fight,” another wrote.
“Lovlina seems like she was so happy after losing!” one fan posted. “What a pity!”
One fan commented on how boxing has not been a kind sport to India at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics, posting:
“Disappointed again in Boxing! Lovlina Borgohain loses her Quarter Final! 💔 Boxing has not been good for India in this Olympics!”
Lovlina Borgohain sees Olympic dreams dashed by world No. 6 Li Qian
Lovlina Borgohain was one of the prime medal hopefuls for India going into the Paris 2024 Olympics, as the middleweight boxer from Assam had already won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
However, Li Qian continued the Chinese steamroller at the ongoing Summer Olympic Games by completely outclassing her Indian opponent on Sunday, winning the quarterfinal bout by a split decision of 4-1 to progress through to the semis.
As for Lovlina, the inability to win even a single round against an opponent whom she had defeated in the 2023 IBA Women’s Boxing World Championships would be a major disappointment. A win in today’s match would have given Lovlina a chance to win unprecedented successive Olympic medals in boxing, but now she will return from Paris with nothing to show for it.