New Delhi, April 10: Tokyo Olympics medallist Lovlina Borgohain could move down to the 70kg category after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) scrapped her current 75kg weight class for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, forcing her to pick a new division. The IOC on Wednesday announced the event programme and athlete quotas for the LA Games. With the rejig, Borgohain will have to either move down to 70kg or bulk up to +80kg.
“This is brand new information for me. It is quite shocking,” Borgohain, who was caught off guard by the development, told PTI from Guwahati.
“I think I will have to move down to 70kg because it will be difficult for me to go up to +80kg,” she said.
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Her personal coach Pranamika Bora was equally surprised by the development but said the final call would be made only after a series of fitness and medical assessments.
“Really surprised by this news. It’s too soon to commit to anything. She can fight in both weight categories as she has the height to play in +80kg as well,” Bora said. “But we will conduct some tests to check what is best for body, cutting weight or bulking up. After that we will take a call.” Currently, Borgohain’s natural weight is 74kg and Bora stressed that losing too much weight could lead to reduction in strength.
“Right now her natural weight is 74kg and cutting too much could lead to her losing strength. So we will see what givers her more advantage,” said Bora, who travelled with Borgohain for the Paris Olympics.
Boxing, which was confirmed for inclusion in the 2028 Olympics only last month, will feature an equal number of men and women’s event (seven each) for the first time.
An additional women’s weight category has been added since the Paris Games.
The new Olympics women’s categories include 51kg (Flyweight), 54kg (Bantamweight), 57kg (Featherweight), 60kg(Lightweight), 65kg (Welterweight), 70kg (Light Middleweight), and +80kg (Heavyweight).
The axing of 75kg comes as surprise as World Boxing, which was provisionally recognised by the IOC as the new governing body of the sport in February, currently has the 75kg weight class on its roster instead of +80kg. (PTI)
