Boxer Lin Yu Ting wins Olympic gold despite gender controversy

Lin Yu Ting made Olympic history by winning gold in the women’s featherweight division. The Taiwanese boxer, who has faced gender-related controversies, defeated Poland’s Julia Szeremeta to claim her first Olympic gold. Lin and fellow boxer Imane Khelif had previously been disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by the IBA.

Lin reached the final by defeating Turkey’s Yildiz Kahraman, who showed her frustration with an “XX” sign during their match. In the championship fight, 28-year-old Lin dominated Julia Szeremeta, leaving the Polish boxer bleeding and with a silver medal.

Lin won 5-0 in three sets at Roland Garros on Saturday during the Olympic Games, and celebrated by kissing the mat. Her height advantage made it difficult for Szeremeta to land hard shots.

“I feel incredible… I want to thank everyone who supported me, and thank you to my team and everyone in Taiwan. They gave me the strength,” she told media after winning the gold.

“All those hard training sessions, the times I got injured, the competitors I fought against. All those images flashed through my mind. There were times of great pain. There were times of great joy. I cried because I was so moved,” she added.

Lin faced multiple protests from her opponents during the competition. In both the semi-finals and quarter-finals, her rivals made an “XX” gesture with their index fingers, which appeared to refer to female chromosome symbols.

After the match, Khelif responded fiercely to criticism over her eligibility and gender status, particularly regarding the now-banned IBA. “I’ve been boxing under their organization since 2018… they hate me and I don’t know why. I’m sending them one message: with this gold medal, my dignity, my honor is above everything,” she said. Both Yu-Ting and Khelif’s gender identities have come under scrutiny after they were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships for failing gender identity tests.