Nagoya (Japan) (AFP) - Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting won an "exceptional" gold in the Asian Games on Friday, saying that she was "grateful that she was able to overcome the ordeal", after she considered retiring following the great controversy that arose over her eligibility during the Paris Olympics.

Published on: 02/10/2026 - 10:26

The 30-year-old boxer defeated Chinese Yang Chengyu 5-0 in the women's 60 kg final in Nagoya, to win her second gold in the Asian Games, after being crowned in the 57 kg weight in Hangzhou three years ago.

Lin had revealed to Agence France-Presse before the start of the Games that she had considered retiring after winning gold in the Paris Olympics, but she wanted to continue her career, in part, to defy those who doubted her eligibility to participate.

She said after her victory in Nagoya that she was "waiting for that moment when the light breaks through the darkness."

"It was not easy at all," she added.

She continued, "It is rare that you finally reach that moment when you see the dawn, and I am very grateful to myself that I was able to get through all of that."

Lynn and Algerian boxer Iman Khalif found themselves at the center of a widespread controversy over sexual eligibility during the 2024 Olympics, after current US President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and writer Jay Kay Rowling, along with other figures, made comments about the issue.

The International Boxing Federation had excluded the two female boxers from the 2023 World Championship, after announcing that they did not meet conditions related to sexual eligibility, without revealing the nature of the tests they underwent.

But the International Olympic Committee allowed them to participate in the Paris Olympics, considering that they were victims of a “sudden and arbitrary decision” issued by the International Boxing Federation.

Lin and Khalif both won gold at the Paris Olympics.

-"I'm not afraid of death" -

Lin said that winning the Asian Games was different from winning the Olympics, adding that its "importance is enormous."

She spoke about a previous experience, saying, "I simply felt that I wanted to gather my things and rush home. This is the thought that was controlling me."

She added, "I no longer have any hope. I am very grateful to the coach because he always believed in me, and always believed that good things would happen."

Lin was supported by a small group of Taiwanese fans who made their voices heard in the modest Nishio gym.

Thanks to the large height difference between her and her opponent, Lin took advantage of her superior arm range to impose her control over the fight, and entered the third and final round with a clear advantage.

She withstood a late attack from Yang to win the gold medal, before quietly celebrating her coronation.

Lin said she decided to compete at the Asian Games at a higher weight because she was "not afraid of death."

"That's how people are, you want to see a different version of yourself," she added.

She continued, "Since I already have a very strong record in the 57 kg weight, I also wanted to give myself a different challenge, and see how far I can go."

Lin declined to confirm whether she intends to defend her Olympic title at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

She said, "I believe that in the future we can also perform better, persevere until the end, and laugh at the end."

Chinese Wu Yu, champion of the Paris Olympics, also won the gold medal after defending her title in the Asian Games in the women's 51 kg weight category.

Japanese Roy Yamaguchi gave the local fans a reason to celebrate, after he won gold in the men's 55 kg weight class.

© 2026 AFP

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