India have secured their first medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 even before the competition officially begins. Boxer Lovlina Borgohain has guaranteed herself at least a bronze medal after receiving a bye to the semifinals of the women's 75kg boxing event.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games begin on July 23 in Glasgow, Scotland. The Opening Ceremony will take place after midnight on July 24. However, India's medal tally has already started thanks to Lovlina's direct passage to the last four.

Lovlina Gets Direct Entry to the Semifinals

Lovlina Borgohain, who won an Olympic bronze medal, did not have to compete in the quarterfinals. She received a bye because the women's 75kg division has only five boxers. In Commonwealth Games boxing, every semifinalist is guaranteed a medal. As a result, Lovlina has already secured at least a bronze medal.

Australia's Emma-Sue Greentree and Tuvalu's Tarona Khanum Badi Pasoni Taafaki also received byes and advanced directly to the semifinals. Meanwhile, England's Mary-Kate Smith will face Nigeria's Patricia Mbata in the only quarterfinal of the division. The winner will claim the final semifinal spot.

Lovlina to Face Tuvalu's Taafaki

Lovlina will meet Tarona Khanum Badi Pasoni Taafaki in the semifinal on July 31. Taafaki is only 20 years old. She will compete in her first major international event. Her brother, Pasoni Taafaki, will also represent Tuvalu in the men's 70kg boxing competition.

If Lovlina wins the semifinal, she will fight for gold. Even if she loses, she will still take home a bronze medal.

Indian Boxer Looks to Bounce Back

Lovlina will also look to erase the memories of her disappointing campaign at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. She competed in the women's 70kg event in Birmingham. However, she lost in the quarterfinals to Wales' Rosie Eccles by a narrow 3-2 split decision.

It was a close bout, but it looked like Eccles was the better of the two in the opening two rounds. But somehow the judges gave the two rounds to Lovlina by a split decision. Lovlina also got a point deduction in the second round for holding. Eccles won the final round comprehensively and clinched the bout 3-2 by a split decision.

India Make an Early Start

India have not yet begun competing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Still, the country has already secured its first medal. Lovlina's place in the semifinals guarantees India at least one bronze medal and gives the contingent an early boost before the Games officially get underway.