Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting found herself at the center of a gender eligibility controversy before the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she was scheduled to face Uzbekistan fighter Sitora Turdibekova. Although not as high-profile as Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, Lin was also disqualified from the 2023 Women’s World Championships due to having male chromosomes, just like Khelif. Both athletes were removed from the tournament as a result.
Lin, a 28-year-old boxer from Taipei County, Taiwan, has been involved in female boxing competitions since her middle school years. Reports suggest that Lin pursued boxing as a career to protect her mother from domestic abuse, turning a hobby into a profession. She has competed in various weight divisions, including women’s bantamweight, flyweight, and featherweight.
In terms of her boxing career, Lin has been active at the amateur championship level since 2017. She clinched a gold medal at the 2017 Asian Championships in Ho Chi Minh City, defeating Vietnam’s Le Thi Bang in the bantamweight category when she was 21 years old. Lin continued her success by winning gold at the AIBA World Championships in 2018, as well as the 2019 Asian Championships, the 2022 Asian Games, and the 2022 World Championships.
Despite participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she was eliminated in the Round of 16 by the Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio, it was the 2023 World Championships that brought the controversy surrounding Lin’s gender to light. The International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified her from the tournament and revoked her bronze medal due to gender eligibility issues, specifically the presence of XY chromosomes confirmed by DNA tests.
As Lin gears up for the Paris Olympics, the debate over her gender resurfaces. The IBA, in a statement, clarified that both Lin and Khelif were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships for failing to meet the eligibility criteria for women’s competition. The decision was based on confidential tests that revealed a competitive advantage over other female athletes, leading to their disqualification.
Amidst the drama, Lin is set to face Uzbek fighter Turdibekova in the Paris Olympics. Despite her impressive amateur record of 40-14 with one knockout, Lin faced a setback in April when she lost to Jucielen Cerqueira Romeu in Colorado via split decision. Despite the challenges, New Taipei City Councilor Cho Kuan-ting confirmed on social media that Lin was registered as female at birth, with official documents reflecting her female designation that cannot be changed.
The ongoing controversy surrounding Lin Yu-Ting highlights the complexities of gender eligibility in sports and raises questions about fairness and athlete safety in competitive events. As she steps into the ring in Paris, all eyes will be on Lin as she competes in the 57-kilogram division, aiming to overcome the obstacles and make her mark on the Olympic stage.
