Aichi-Nagoya: India’s Pincky Balhara secured her second Asian Games medal after losing her women’s 78kg kurash semifinal to South Korea’s Mo Sumin on Monday, while Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain advanced to the boxing semifinals to assure another medal for the country.
Pincky, who won silver at the 2018 Asian Games, went down 0-5 to Sumin, the reigning Asian Championships gold medallist, but her semifinal appearance guaranteed India its third Asian Games medal in kurash.
The Indian struggled to gain control early and received a warning before managing a ‘chala’, or half-point throw. Sumin subsequently converted the situation into a ‘yonbosh’, a full point short of an outright win, after another warning against Pincky. The Indian then received a second warning, leaving her one penalty away from disqualification.
Pincky had earlier booked her place in the semifinals by defeating South Korea’s Lim Garam 3-0 in the quarterfinals.
The bronze was India’s 38th medal of the Games, taking the contingent’s tally to four gold, 16 silver and 18 bronze medals.
Meanwhile, Lovlina produced a dominant performance against South Korea’s Seong Suyeon in the women’s 75kg boxing quarterfinal to secure another medal for India. The Indian won 5-0 by unanimous decision.
The opening round saw both boxers engage in an attacking exchange, with Lovlina edging the judges’ scorecards 10-9. Seong attempted to increase the pressure in the second round, but Lovlina effectively stepped away from her attacks and responded with counters and sharp jabs, again taking the round unanimously.
Lovlina maintained control in the final round, connecting with quick combinations that left Seong struggling to respond. The judges once again awarded the round to the Indian, giving her a 30-27 victory on the scorecards.
The result puts Lovlina into the semifinals and guarantees her at least a bronze medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The Indian had won bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and is now assured of another major international podium finish.
