Lin Yu Ting has secured her place in Olympic history by winning the gold medal in the women’s featherweight division. The Taiwanese boxer faced intense scrutiny and controversy related to her gender but ultimately emerged victorious. Her journey echoes that of fellow athlete Imane Khelif, who also triumphed amid similar challenges. Both Lin and Khelif had previously been disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) from the 2023 World Championships due to gender identity controversies.
Lin Yu Ting clinched the gold medal by defeating Polish boxer Julia Szeremeta, 20, in a decisive final match. Her path to the finals included a hard-fought victory against Turkey’s Yildiz Kahraman, who, in frustration, made an “XX” gesture with her hands during their fight. In the championship bout, the 28-year-old Lin dominated Szeremeta, leaving the Polish contender with a bloodied face and a silver medal.
The final match, held at Roland Garros on Saturday, saw Lin win with a 5-0 score in three sets. Her four-inch height advantage made it difficult for Szeremeta to counter Lin’s powerful punches effectively. Lin celebrated her victory by bending down to kiss the mat, a moment of triumph that capped off a grueling journey.
After the match, Lin Yu Ting expressed her joy and relief. “Winning 5-0 might look easy, but it represents countless hours of practice and hard work,” she said. “I feel incredible. I want to thank everyone who has supported me, and thanks to my team and everyone in Taiwan. They gave me the power.” The gold medal brought a smile to Lin’s face, a rare moment of happiness after enduring harsh criticism and scrutiny on social media over the gender controversy.
Imane Khelif, who also faced similar scrutiny, made a strong statement following her own gold medal win over China’s Yang Liu in the women’s welterweight tournament in Paris. “Regarding the IBA, I have been boxing under their organization since 2018,” Khelif said. “They know me very well, they know what I’m capable of, they know how I’ve developed over the years, but now they are not recognized anymore. They hate me, and I don’t know why. I send them a single message: with this gold medal, my dignity, my honor is above everything else.”
The gender identities of both Lin and Khelif have been under scrutiny since their disqualification from the 2023 World Championships due to failing gender identity tests. Despite these challenges, both athletes have demonstrated remarkable resilience, using their victories to silence their critics and highlight their dedication to the sport.