Olympic medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain alleges mental harassment 3 days before Commonwealth Games
The 24-year-old from Assam had won a bronze medal in the women’s welterweight division. (Photo: AFP)
Three days before the start of the Commonwealth Games 2022, Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain has alleged mental harassment by the authorities.
The Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist said that one of her coaches has been denied entry to the Athletes Village in England's Birmingham, while one has been sent home.
— Lovlina Borgohain (@LovlinaBorgohai) July 25, 2022
What she said: “My coaches who helped me win medals at the Olympics have been removed from the competition. One of these coaches, Sandhya Gurung ji, is also a Dronacharya awardee. Despite many requests, they were included very late into my team. This is seriously hampering my training process and has put me through a lot of mental harassment," she said in a statement.
"My second coach has been sent back to India. In spite of requesting so many times, I had to face mental harassment. I don't understand how I can focus on the Games. Due to this, my last World Championships was also spoiled. I don't want to spoil my CWG because of this politics. I hope I can stop this politics and bring a medal for my country,” Borgohain said in a statement released on Twitter.
Olympics glory: The 24-year-old from Assam finished her Tokyo Olympics campaign with a bronze medal after losing in the semis to reigning World Champion Busenaz Surmeneli in the women’s welterweight division.
She became the third Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal, after Vijender Singh and MC Mary Kom.
Poor form: She has been struggling with her form since Tokyo and is expecting to make a comeback to the podium in Birmingham.