Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting Advances to Gold Medal Bout at Paris Olympics

Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting secured a spot in the gold medal match of the 57-kilogram division at the Paris Olympics after defeating Turkey's Esra Yildiz Kahraman by unanimous decision in the semifinals on Wednesday night. Yildiz, who fought aggressively throughout the match, will take home a bronze medal, as there are no bronze-medal bouts in Olympic boxing. Despite Yildiz's relentless approach, Lin's ability to land more effective punches ultimately swayed the judges in her favor. The match was not without controversy, as Lin has been at the center of a gender eligibility debate following a disqualification at the 2023 International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships. The IBA's president previously stated that Lin and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif were disqualified due to findings of "XY chromosomes." However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has upheld their eligibility to compete in women's events, dismissing the IBA's testing methods. As the decision was announced, Yildiz made a gesture with her fingers, forming a double "X," which appeared to signify her identity as a woman. This moment added another layer to the ongoing discussions surrounding gender and eligibility in sports, particularly in boxing. Yildiz's last medal came in 2016 when she won bronze at the European Championships. As the Olympics continue, Lin Yu-ting's journey will be closely watched, both for her athletic prowess and the implications of the surrounding controversies.