August 02, (THEWILL) – Taiwanese boxer, Lin Yu-ting, advanced to the quarter-final of the women’s 57kg class at the Paris Olympics, defeating Sitora Turdibekova of Uzbekistan by unanimous points decision.
Lin used her reach effectively to outscore her opponent, who sought to make the fight a close-quarters brawl. After her victory, the 28-year-old did not speak to the media, but her coach, Tseng Tsu Chiang, noted that Lin was nervous in her first bout but respected the rules and enjoyed the contest.
Lin, along with Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif, is at the centre of a gender eligibility controversy. Both fighters were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) but were later cleared by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to compete in Paris. This decision has sparked significant debate, with the IBA criticising the IOC’s ruling and maintaining that the boxers did not meet eligibility criteria.
Tunisian coach, Samir Khlifi, whose boxer lost in the same class, called the IBA’s decision to ban Khelif political. He praised the IOC’s intervention, expressing hope that Khelif would win a medal. The controversy intensified when high-profile figures like Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni and US presidential candidate, Donald Trump, criticised the IOC’s stance, claiming it created unfair conditions for female boxers.
The IBA issued a statement asserting that the athletes were subject to a recognised test, though the specifics remain confidential. This statement further fuelled the debate, with some viewing it as a politically motivated attack against the IOC’s decisions. The issue has quickly become a focal point in broader cultural and political discussions.
IOC spokesman, Mark Adams, defended the IOC’s eligibility criteria, which are based on the gender indicated on the boxers’ passports. He acknowledged the complexity of the issue, which has drawn attention from various quarters, including celebrities and politicians.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
