In Nishio City, Aichi prefecture, Lin Yu-ting secured a decisive 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdiebkova on Oct. 1, advancing to the final of the women’s 60kg boxing category. Lin, who is competing in Nagoya, Japan, is aiming for her second Olympic gold after her historic win at the 2024 Paris Games, where she became Taiwan’s first Olympic boxing champion.
The 30-year-old athlete has faced intense scrutiny and controversy surrounding her gender eligibility in competitive boxing. At the 2024 Olympics, Lin and Algerian boxer Imane Khelifi were embroiled in a debate after the International Boxing Association (IBA) challenged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over their participation, citing eligibility concerns. Neither Lin nor Khelifi is transgender, but the IBA asserted they failed unspecified eligibility tests designed to ensure fair competition in women’s boxing.
The dispute intensified when prominent figures such as former U.S. President Donald Trump and British author J.K. Rowling publicly questioned Lin and Khelifi’s right to compete. Despite the noise, Lin has maintained her focus on the sport, advising fellow athletes dealing with similar backlash to disconnect from social media to protect their mental well-being.
“Just close social media,” Lin said when asked about her coping strategies. She emphasized that her primary focus remains her training and competition, noting that standing in the ring itself validates her eligibility. “I don’t need to explain anything extra to others because they are not the ones competing; I am the one competing,” she added.
Following their 2024 Olympic triumphs, both Lin and Khelifi were disqualified by the IBA from the 2023 World Championships amid claims that they possessed competitive advantages. The IBA stated its eligibility tests conclusively showed both athletes did not meet the necessary criteria for female competitors.
Since then, the governance of international boxing shifted from the IBA to World Boxing, which implemented new eligibility policies, including mandatory sex testing, in August 2025. Lin underwent the updated testing regimen and was cleared to compete in March 2026 after a 19-month hiatus marked by uncertainty. She acknowledged considering retirement but ultimately decided to continue competing, partly in defiance of her critics.
At the current competition in Nagoya, Lin has moved up from her previous 57kg division to the 60kg category, presenting new challenges. She will face China’s Yang Cheng-yu in the final scheduled for Oct. 2. Reflecting on her shift to a higher weight class, Lin admitted it has been difficult but described it as part of her growth as an athlete aiming for greater resilience.
“Looking back, I suppose I was a bit fearless or perhaps just a bit overconfident thinking I’d try challenging myself in a higher weight class,” Lin said. “All along, I’ve been growing through setbacks, striving to become stronger and more resilient especially so I wouldn’t end up being tossed around like a toy by my opponents in future matches.”
Despite ongoing controversies and criticism, Lin continues to demonstrate determination both inside and outside the ring, solidifying her status as an influential figure in international women’s boxing.