Taiwan's Lin Yu-Ting becomes second boxer to win fight in Olympics after previously failing gender test

2 August 2024, 16:38

Lin Yu-ting, one of the boxers at the centre of a gender row at the Olympics, won her opening bout.
Lin Yu-ting, one of the boxers at the centre of a gender row at the Olympics, won her opening bout. Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

Taiwan's Lin Yu-Ting has become the second Olympic boxer to win a fight after failing a gender eligibility test.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Yu-Ting went the full three rounds against 22-year-old Sitora Turdibekova before winning on a unanimous decision.

She is now only one more win away from being guaranteed an Olympic medal.

However, the boxer has been caught up in a controversial gender row just 24 hours after Algeria's Imane Khelif also faced scrutiny.

The pair were allowed to play in the Paris Games despite being disqualified from last year's World Championships for failing to meet gender eligibility criteria.

Read more: Imane Khelif's next opponent breaks silence after boxer beat Italian rival in seconds after previously failing gender test

Read more: Boxing official at centre of Olympic gender row was Keir Starmer’s best man at his wedding

Yu Ting Lin reacts to winning during the Women’s 57kg Round of 16 match against Sitora Turdibekova
Yu Ting Lin reacts to winning during the Women’s 57kg Round of 16 match against Sitora Turdibekova. Picture: Alamy

But the row erupted on Thursday when Khelif defeated Italy's Angela Carini in 46 seconds, with the Italian saying afterwards she had "never felt a punch like this".

Carini refused to shake hands with Khelif after the fight as she wept on the canvas with a possible broken nose.

However, she has since apologised for initiating the controversy.

"I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision," she said.

Speaking about her decision to not shake Khelif’s hand, Carini added: ”It wasn’t something I intended to do.

"Actually, I want to apologise to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke.

"I don’t have anything against Khelif. Actually, if I were to meet her again I would embrace her."

Yu Ting Lin (red) of Team Chinese Taipei competes during the Women’s 57kg Round of 16 match against Sitora Turdibekova
Yu Ting Lin (red) of Team Chinese Taipei competes during the Women’s 57kg Round of 16 match against Sitora Turdibekova. Picture: Alamy

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said that Khelif was eligible to compete in the Olympics as her passport says she is a woman.

A statement read: "Every person has the right to practice sport without discrimination.

"All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition's eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU)."

The authority further clarified that "the gender and age of the athletes are based on their passport," and confirmed that both athletes had previously competed in Tokyo.

"We have seen in reports misleading information about two female athletes competing at the Olympic Games Paris 2024," they added.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Ellis Matthews, 32, is currently being held at a centre for mothers with children with her four-year-old son.

British expat who ‘lied’ about claiming benefits ‘goes on hunger strike’ in Thai prison

Paul Butler admitted the murder of Claire Chick

Man admits murdering university lecturer in street in Plymouth

The Stena Immaculate crew have been praised for their 'exceptional bravery'

Tanker owners release first picture of crew and hail their 'exceptional bravery’

Nicholas Prosper killed his family

Teenager who murdered family planned to massacre 30 school children to become UK's most notorious mass killer

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall making a statement on welfare reform in the House of Commons, London. Picture date: Tuesday March 18, 2025.

Labour's battle on benefits begins as rebels say crackdown will cause 'immense suffering'

A woman in her 20s died at the scene, police said

LIVE: Woman in her 20s dies after ‘van hit three people’ near The Strand in central London

A woman in her 20s died in the crash

Woman killed after van hits three pedestrians in Strand in central London, as man arrested for drug driving

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have reportedly shared their first phone call since the election.

US ‘could recognise Crimea as Russian in peace deal’ as Trump to hold ceasefire talks with Putin

Paul Young and his wife Lorna had been on holiday in Santorini when the fall happened

Paul Young rushed into intensive care after horror fall on luxury Greek holiday

Owen Cooper

Adolescence star Owen Cooper, 15, reveals iconic role he wants to play and how his friends reacted Netflix drama

Israel launched a wave of strikes on Gaza last night - the largest attack since the January ceasefire

'Greatest fear realised': Families of Israeli hostages slam Netanyahu as Gaza strikes put captives 'at grave risk'

A group picture of all the researchers – from various science projects -- at the South African research station, SANAE IV, Antar

Revealed: Why Antarctic scientist 'snapped' on remote base as team begs for rescue after 'assaults and death threats'

Rescue teams at work after the plane crashed into the sea, on Roatan island, Honduras

Plane crash kills seven including popular music star after jet goes down off Honduras coast

The NHS watchdog has called for overweight patients to be weighed each year.

Overweight patients should be weighed every year so doctors can monitor them, says NHS watchdog

Pat McFadden

Pat McFadden defends changes to welfare system as he insists Cabinet 'united' behind plans - despite backlash

Driving test rules have changed

Warning over new rules for driving tests, as ministers push to slash waiting times