Glasgow, 23 July (H.S.): India’s first medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 has been assured even before the opening ceremony, with star boxer Lovlina Borgohain securing a place in the women’s 75kg semi-final. The Games begin on Thursday in Glasgow, Scotland.

Only five boxers are participating in the women’s 75kg category, due to which Lovlina received a first-round bye and advanced directly to the semi-final. As per Commonwealth Games rules, both losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze medals, ensuring at least a bronze medal for the Indian boxer.

The 28-year-old Lovlina will face T.K.B.P. Tafaki of Tuvalu in the semi-final scheduled to be held in July. A victory in the bout will take her to the final, where she will compete for the gold medal.

This will be Lovlina’s first Commonwealth Games medal. Earlier, at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Olympic bronze medallist had reached the quarter-finals in the light middleweight category, where she lost to Wales’ Rosie Eccles.

Lovlina has also been named one of India’s flag-bearers for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 opening ceremony along with weightlifting star Mirabai Chanu.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar