Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting brings home the gold, despite gender controversy

Lyon Chiang, Taipei

Despite facing disruptions due to the IBA gender controversy, Taiwanese boxer 林郁婷(Lin Yu Ting) persevered and advanced to the gold medal match.

On August 11, Taiwan time, Lin competed in the 57kg final against 20-year-old Polish boxer Serrymeta. 林郁婷(Lin Yu Ting) dominated the first two rounds with aggressive attacks, securing a 5-0 lead in both rounds.

In the third round, Serrymeta attempted to switch tactics by closing in to avoid 林郁婷(Lin Yu Ting)’s long reach. However, she was ultimately hit and began bleeding, leading her to claim another 5-0 victory, earning Taiwan its second gold medal of the Olympics.

According to a BBC report, Serrymeta had previously shared a meme on her Instagram that seemingly mocked 林郁婷(Lin Yu Ting)’s gender controversy. Although the post was later removed, it attracted hundreds of supportive comments from Taiwanese fans under her announcement of the final match.

Before the match, the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee reiterated its commitment to safeguarding her right to compete.

At 28, 林郁婷(Lin Yu Ting) has been boxing since 2013. In the 2023 World Championships, she won a bronze medal against Bulgaria’s Svetlana Staneva, only to have it revoked by the IBA over gender-related issues. This Olympic gold not only reaffirms her prowess but also underscores her consistent excellence, following her previous golds at the Asian Championships and Asian Games.

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