Hyderabad: One knockout punch, one deadlift, one pin-point smash and one powerful throw can win you a medal for your country, and fetch an instant stardom.
That's what was seen on television when viewers finally decided to switch their channel from cricket to Olympics. Media waking up to finally realise the existence of these players and started hoarding up at the airports and hotel lounges along with scores of fans to catch one glimpse of these Olympians who had brought laurels for their country.
Before this, there was a minimal focus on these players in media space even as fans struggled to remember their names. One could rarely chance upon the announcement of rewards being ushered so frequently as now by state dignitaries.
But Boxer Lovlina Borgohain, a Bronze medallist for India at the Tokyo Olympics, doesn't mind any of it. In fact, she relishes the prospect of being left alone so as to focus on the sport she has loved since childhood.
"It may disturb you. If someone comes to you and tells you that you are doing very well, it may hamper you preparation. It's good that all of it happens after winning a medal," Lovlina tells Etv Bharat over the telephone, happy that a medal "can bring so much joy in the country".
"People will only get happy with results, isn't it? So I don't feel bad about it," she adds. Meanwhile, she doesn't seem as exhilarated as others while talking about her third finish at the Tokyo Olympics.
"My aim remains Gold in the end," the 69kg women's welterweight category boxer reveals.
Excerpts:
Q. What does it feel like to win a medal for the country?
A. I am feeling very good that I came back to India with a medal, but gold would have definitely made me happier.
Q. Mixed feelings? Are you not satisfied with what you have achieved?
A. I was extremely upset because I never thought of losing out on a match. I had gone to Tokyo with the aim of winning gold medal for India. I was only thinking of gold medal during bouts and that kept me going. After clinching bronze, I convinced myself that it's just a start. The aim is gold in the end. I was so focused on getting gold that I couldn't even enjoy when I got bronze. I felt very sad after the loss in the semis. I was upset that I couldn't get India a gold medal.
Q. Still you don't sound that happy...
A. At least, I didn't come empty handed and brought the medal for India and I am happy for that. But my focus will be to convert this bronze into a gold medal in Paris Olympics. Of course, I am happy. It took me two days to finally get hold of that medal.
Q. You have received a grand welcome upon you arrival. What has been the most special gesture so far?
A. I think the best part for me was that so many people came to celebrate and the love they showered was unthinkable for me. It feels really nice that winning a medal can bring so much happiness to a country.
Q. Mediapersons, politicians, managers... everyone have been welcoming. We usually start celebrating a player after he wins a medal. Do you think attention should be given right from the onset? Was it difficult for you when you started practicing boxing?
A. Yes, it was a bit difficult in the start. It is right that people only notice you when you win a medal. I think it's not good for players to get noticed when they are preparing. It may disturb you. Your preparation may get hampered if someone comes to you and tells you that you are doing very well. It's good that all of it happens after winning the medal. We have given our 100 percent and we deserve to enjoy after that. People will only get happy with results, isn't it? So I don't feel bad about it. I feel it's good that I was given the space to prepare well.
Q. You were talking about the difficulties when you started...
A. There were difficulties in getting support when I started off. But there was enough support as I progressed to the nationals and international games -- government, SAI (Sports Authority of India), BFI (Boxing Federation of India), they were there. It is because of them that players are able to do well. Of course, it happens during the start because you have to prove to everyone. And it's only then that they gain your trust and believe that you will do well. You also have to believe in yourself and prove to others that you are good enough and it's then that people start having faith in you. Earlier, I played Martial Arts and then moved to Boxing. I didn't face many problems when I switched to Boxing as SAI was always there to help us out. We got every equipment and all kind of support from them. I got into the national camp in my first year of boxing and then progressed to international tournaments in sub juniors just after that. I got a lot of benefit from my martial arts background. I used to play Muay Thai in which there is a lot of use of punches. I was fit as well. In boxing, we play only from one side, but in Muay Thai, we tend to play from both the sides. I got benefit from it. I am not saying that it was because of having Muay Thai background that I played Olympics, but yes, it did help to have a background in that.
Q. How do you think your win will inspire others?
A. I do feel that a lot of kids will get inspired. When someone does well, a lot of children take up sport. And it's true in every field. The medal will motivate a lot of them and also people will try to tap into the talent of people who come from villages. I think a lot of players will emerge in the coming times.
Q. What now for Lovlina?
A. My journey was always about clinching gold medal for India. It hasn't ended yet as I was aiming for gold. In the next Olympics, I have to change the colour of it. I will be preparing for that now. I will take a break for a month and a half and get back into the ring as soon as I can.
Q. How difficult is it to wait for four years again and get back into the ring and practice with the same intensity? Where do you get your motivation from?
A. Motivation always come if you are willing to do something for your country. Also, as individuals, motivation comes naturally when we think of making our dreams come true.
By Ayushmaan Pandey
