Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting Makes History with Gold Medal Win in Boxing at Paris Olympics Amid Gender Controversy

Taiwanese Lin Yu-ting beat Poland’s Yulia Sheremeta by unanimous decision to win the women’s featherweight gold medal at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.

Lynn and Algerian welterweight gold medalist Iman Khalif were at the Games in Paris amid a controversy over their gender identity that dominated headlines and was the subject of much debate on social media platforms. .

Lin (28 years old) became the first Taiwanese to win a gold medal in boxing, as her country had only won three bronze medals in the sport, two of which came at the Olympics in Paris.

Lin and Khalif were banned by the International Boxing Association from the 2023 World Championships in New Delhi, and the association said at a press conference at the Paris Games that a gender test ruled them ineligible.

Both boxers are competing in the Olympics after the International Olympic Committee stripped them of their status as the sport’s governing body in 2023, and took control of organizing boxing competitions at Paris Games.

The International Olympic Committee rejected the results of the tests ordered by the International Sports Association, describing them as arbitrary and illegal, saying that there was no reason to do them.

For the Paris Olympics, the International Olympic Committee is using the boxing eligibility rules implemented in the 2016 and 2021 Olympics, which do not include gender testing.

In a post on the X platform before Lin’s fight, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said boxing carries “the strength of the nation.”

“(Lin) faced adversity and senseless attacks from outside the ring with incredible grace and unwavering courage. We are rooting for her till the end,” said Lai.

Using her fists to keep Sheremeta at bay, Lin landed two right hooks as the Pole looked to close the distance on her opponent.

Sheremeta was full of a fervent desire to win but lacked speed and accuracy, leaving her vulnerable to a potential punch.

Lin also had more pace in the one-sided game, forcing Sheremeta to give everything she could in the final round, and the Taiwanese was happy just to have her opponent’s attacks Avoid Poland.

Filipina Nethy Petisio and Turkish Esra Yildiz won bronze.