Boxer at Center of Olympic Gender Controversy Triumphs in 94 Seconds After Rule Loophole Leaves Opponent 'Short of Breath'

Table of Contents

• Match Summary
• Gender Eligibility Issues
• Match Details
• Medical Condition of Opponent

OLYMPIC boxer Lin Yu-ting made a triumphant return to the ring, knocking out her opponent in just 94 seconds.

At 29 years old, Lin participated in last year’s Paris Olympics but was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships due to a gender eligibility test failure.

Lin Yu-ting made a triumphant return to the ring by knocking out her opponent in just 94 secondsCredit: EPA Lin’s opponent Pan Yan-fei took several head shots and appeared to be short of breathCredit: Unknown

The Taiwanese boxer has faced challenges due to her gender status.

She identifies as female on her passport.

Two years ago, IBA officials found that tests indicated Lin had XY chromosomes, which typically signifies a biologically male individual.

Rare intersex medical conditions, known medically as differences in sexual development (DSDs), can result in individuals who appear female having male chromosomes, or vice versa.

The World Boxing Association introduced mandatory genetic sex testing for all boxers over the age of 18 in August to clarify eligibility for its competitions.

This decision resulted in Lin and another boxer embroiled in gender controversy, who also won gold at the Paris Games in the welterweight division, being absent from the ring for an extended period.

However, domestic regulations at Taiwan's National Games permitted Lin to compete in the women's 60kg division.

In her match, the Taiwanese boxer easily defeated her opponent, Pan Yan-fei, in the first round.

According to local reports, Pan, 19, took several head shots and appeared to struggle to breathe.

The coach of the university student threw in the towel, prompting the referee to stop the match.

Pan’s condition was reported as stable following her defeat, but no further medical details were disclosed.