Olympic boxer Lin Yu-ting marked her return to the ring with a dominant performance, knocking out her opponent in just 94 seconds.
The 29-year-old Taiwanese fighter, who won gold in the featherweight division at the Paris 2024 Olympics, had previously been disqualified from the 2023 World Championships after failing a gender eligibility test — a decision that sparked widespread controversy.
Although Lin identifies as female and is officially recognized as such on her passport, IBA officials previously reported that she carries XY chromosomes, typically associated with male biology. Experts note, however, that certain intersex conditions, known medically as differences in sexual development (DSDs), can result in individuals with male chromosomes having a female appearance.
In response to similar disputes, World Boxing introduced mandatory genetic sex testing for all boxers over 18 earlier this year to help clarify eligibility for competitions. The ruling led both Lin and fellow Olympian Imane Khelif — another athlete at the center of a gender debate — to be sidelined from the sport for a time.
Under domestic regulations, Lin was cleared to compete at Taiwan’s National Games in the women’s 60kg division, where she faced 19-year-old Pan Yan-fei.
Lin quickly overwhelmed her younger opponent, landing several powerful head shots before Pan’s coach threw in the towel, prompting the referee to stop the bout in the first round.
Local reports indicated that Pan was short of breath after the knockout but later described her condition as stable, with no additional medical details released.
After the match, Lin’s coach, Tseng Tzu-chiang, called the win “routine” and declined to comment on the ongoing regulatory controversies surrounding his fighter.
