Commonwealth Games 2026: Lovlina Borgohain Eyes Gold Without Medal Pressure

Commonwealth Games 2026: Lovlina Borgohain eyes gold after securing assured medal

Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain will enter the ring at the 2026 Commonwealth Games with a renewed sense of confidence after receiving a direct entry into the semi-finals, guaranteeing her first-ever CWG medal. With the podium already assured, the Indian boxer says her only target now is to win gold for the country.

Bye to semis comes as a surprise

The 28-year-old Assamese boxer admitted she never expected to receive a bye into the last four, especially after having to fight multiple bouts in each of her previous Commonwealth Games appearances without finishing on the podium.

Calling the development a reward for years of hard work, Lovlina said the unexpected opportunity has lifted a significant burden from her shoulders.

‘Now my focus is only on gold’

With a Commonwealth Games medal already guaranteed, Lovlina said she is no longer carrying the pressure of merely finishing on the podium.

Instead, her attention is firmly on winning the gold medal.

“There is no medal pressure now. I have to fight for gold. If I can win gold for my country, that will make me happy,” she said.

Journey back after Paris disappointment

Lovlina revealed that the period following the Paris Olympics was one of the most challenging phases of her career. She admitted she even considered stepping away from boxing before deciding to continue competing. Regular training and consistent performances at international tournaments, including the World Championships, helped her regain confidence and return to winning ways.

Belfast camp boosts confidence

The Indian boxing team underwent a preparatory training camp in Belfast before arriving in Glasgow, and Lovlina credited the camp for improving her form. According to the former world champion, the quality of training and sparring sessions has left her feeling confident about challenging for the Commonwealth title.

Potential final against Australian rival

If the tournament progresses according to seedings, Lovlina is expected to face Australia’s Emma-Sue Greentree, a two-time World Championships bronze medallist, in the gold medal bout. Although the two have never met in international competition, Lovlina believes her performance will depend more on her own confidence than the opponent standing across the ring.

Happy with Santiago Nieva’s return

Lovlina also welcomed the return of head coach Santiago Nieva, who rejoined the Indian boxing setup earlier this year after guiding the team during the Tokyo Olympics. She praised Nieva’s training methods and said his presence has been a major boost for the squad ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

With a medal already secured, Lovlina now has the opportunity to achieve something she has never managed before—turn her assured podium finish into Commonwealth Games gold.