India’s love: Debutant boxer Lovlina enters semis, ensures medal for India

Tokyo, July 30

Debutant boxer Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) provided the spark that India’s Olympics campaign desperately needed with a medal-clinching quarterfinals win, while ace shuttler PV Sindhu reasserted her status as one of the best in the sport as the Indian’s enjoyed a largely successful Day 7 at the Games here today.

Borgohain defeated former world champion Nien-Chin Chen of Chinese Taipei to become the first among nine Indian boxers in fray here to be assured of at least a bronze. “I had lost to her four times earlier, all I wanted to do was prove a point to myself by being fearless against her,” she said.

• India’s biggest medal hope in boxing, Amit Pangal, will begin his campaign today

Later in the day, Sindhu overcame Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi to prevail 21-13 22-20, the scoreline not quite reflecting the remarkable duel. “For me it’s time to go back, relax and get ready for the next match,” said Sindhu, who will face world No. 1 Tai Tzu-Ying of Chinese Taipei in the semis tomorrow.

Hockey teams win

Already assured of a quarterfinals berth, the Indian men’s hockey team beat Japan 5-3. They will face Great Britain in the last-eight stage.

The women kept their hopes of moving ahead alive with Navneet Kaur scoring a late winner against Ireland for a 1-0 win.

The dark side

After two days of some great results, there was heartbreak in archery. World No. 1 Deepika Kumari surrendered tamely to South Korean top-seed An San in straight sets in the quarterfinals. It was all over in six minutes. The Indian misfired three 7s in a row at one point.

Stormy day for Lahiri

Anirban Lahiri endured an erratic day at the golf course and was even-par after 16 holes before the second round was suspended due to persistent thunderstorms. Udayan Mane shot a 2-under 69 and was tied-57th.

Dry run

There was little to celebrate in athletics as well. Avinash Sable shattered his own 3,000m steeplechase national record. He clocked 8 minutes 18.12 seconds to finish seventh in his heat. Despite bettering his record by over two seconds, he failed to qualify for the final. Sprinter Dutee Chand also made an early exit. She was nowhere near her best of 11.17 seconds, clocking 11.54s in 100m heats.

MP Jabir also disappointed in men’s 400m hurdles, while the mixed 4x400m relay team finished last in their heat, marking a disappointing start to the campaign.

Shooters suffer

There was no end to the misery in shooting as Manu Bhaker and Rahi Sarnobat crashed out of the 25m pistol qualifications (rapid fire stage) after finishing outside the top-8. — PTI

Novak Djokovic’s bid to become the first man to complete the Golden Slam lay in tatters as he lost to Alexander Zverev 1-6 6-3 6-1.

Master at table

Olympics and world champion Ma Long retained his men’s table tennis singles title beating compatriot Fan Zhendong 4-2. He clinched his fourth gold at his third Games winning 11-4 10-12 11-8 11-9 3-11 11-7.

Barega on a roll

Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega timed 27 minutes 43.22 seconds to win men’s 10,000 metres gold, shocking world record holder Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda.

SA’s big fish

South African Tatjana Schoenmaker’s nabbed a record-breaking gold in the 200m breaststroke. She clocked 2:18.95 to smash a world record that had lasted eight years.

Punjab players to get Rs 2.25cr each for gold

Punjab’s Sports Minister Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi announced that the Punjab hockey players participating in the Tokyo Olympics will get Rs 2.25 crore each on winning gold at the Games. Agencies