Sports fans at a Taipei bar erupted into cheers when Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting won her first Olympic match, amidst ongoing controversies regarding her gender.
Lin and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif are at the center of a global debate surrounding their eligibility for the Paris Olympics due to previous disqualifications based on “eligibility criteria,” leading to speculations about their gender and whether they belong in women’s divisions.
The controversy escalated after US presidential candidate Donald Trump, author J.K. Rowling, and other commentators weighed in following Khelif’s recent victory over an Italian opponent.
Both Khelif and Lin were previously disqualified from the 2023 world championships but were cleared to participate in the Tokyo Olympics and in Paris.
In Taiwan, the controversy has fueled further support for Lin and the sport of boxing.
“She has done nothing wrong. It’s unnecessary to attack her appearance,” said computer engineer Hannah Huang, who showed her support for Lin at a Taipei sports bar.
Lin’s friend Tracy Wu, who admitted to not usually watching boxing but following the controversy, suggested that the online hate towards Lin may stem from her top seed position.
Olympic committee spokesperson Mark Adams cautioned against making this controversy a “witch-hunt,” emphasizing that it is not solely a transgender issue but about real individuals and their lives.
Before her match against Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova, Lin dismissed the controversy, stating it only motivates her to perform better in the ring.
– ‘No Easy Feat’ –
In the end, Lin triumphed over Turdibekova by using finesse and strategy rather than raw power, earning praise for her positive mindset and bravery.
Spectator Wu commended Lin for her courage and dedication to the sport to protect her mother from an abusive father.
The controversy even brought together Taiwan’s rival political parties in unified support of Lin.
Despite the ongoing debates about Lin’s eligibility, many fans, like Connor Wang, simply admire her incredible performance on the international stage.
“A Taiwanese boxer succeeding internationally like this is truly remarkable,” said Wang, brushing off the debates about Lin’s gender.
aw-dhc/fox
