Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan Secures First Olympic Medal Amid Controversy

Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting clinched her first Olympic medal, defeating Bulgaria's Svetlana Kamenova Staneva. Alongside Algeria's Imane Khelif, Lin faced scrutiny over gender identity regulations. Despite previous disqualification, Lin advanced to the semi-finals securing at least a bronze. Both athletes received widespread support amid the controversy.

Boxer Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan secured her first Olympic medal on Sunday, triumphing in front of a supportive crowd that chanted her name. This came a day after Algerian boxer Imane Khelif also won a medal amid online abuse and intense scrutiny regarding their participation at the Paris Games.

Lin defeated Svetlana Kamenova Staneva of Bulgaria 5:0 in the women's 57-kilogram quarter-final, advancing to the semi-finals and ensuring at least a bronze medal. Both Lin and Khelif have found themselves at the center of a contentious debate over gender identity and sports regulations. Critics cited their disqualification from last year's world championships after the International Boxing Association (IBA) claimed they failed unspecified eligibility tests for women's competition.

Looking ahead, Lin prepared to face Esra Yildiz Kahraman of Turkey at Roland-Garros with her eyes set on the gold. Ignoring the online scrutiny, Lin thanked her supporters from Taiwan and expressed her determination to keep going.

(With inputs from agencies.)