TOKYO: India's Lovlina Borgohain won the bronze medal in women's 69kg boxing at the Olympics after losing in the semi-finals to Turkey's reigning world champion Busenaz Surmeneli.

Lovlina Borgohain had previously defeated Germany's Nadine Apetz in the round of 16 before defeating Chinese Taipei's Chen Nien-chin in the quarterfinals. 

In Olympic boxing, the bronze medal is awarded to both losing semi-finalists.

Lovlina Borgohain, 23, lost her fight by unanimous decision from the blue corner of the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena.

In the first round, the two boxers, who were meeting for the first time in their careers, looked to take the game to their opponent.

While Surmeneli made certain she didn't give Borgohain any room to exploit her height, the Indian obliged by engaging the Turk in close quarters.

It appeared even at first, with both exchanging jabs, but Surmeneli shifted gears in the final stages of the first round, landing some scoring left hooks. Surmeneli won the first round unanimously, according to the judges.

Lovlina Borgohain attempted to claw her way back into the competition by pursuing the Turk. 

Surmeneli, on the other hand, took advantage of the Indian's open guards and landed some punishing left hooks to dominate round 2.

To turn the tables, the Indian pugilist needed a crushing third-round victory.

Despite a valiant effort, Lovlina Borgohain was defeated by Surmeneli's relentless attacks and outclassed in the final round as well.

With the bronze already in hand, Lovlina Borgohain became only the second Indian female boxer to win an Olympic medal, following MC Mary Kom (bronze in London 2012). 

Vijender Singh (bronze in Beijing 2008) is India's only Olympic medalist in men's boxing.

Lovlina's defeat also ends India's boxing campaign in Tokyo in 2020.

Edited - SportsAction / Inputs - olympics.com