Taiwanese athletes fought well in the Paris Olympics and the public has been moved by their successes. One Taiwanese Olympian in particular who captured the public’s attention is boxer and women’s 57kg (featherweight) champion Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷), who navigated her way through a fabricated controversy and delivered a KO against the bullying directed at her, taking home an Olympic gold medal.
Not only did Lin beat back a malicious front, she also brought Taiwan to the forefront of the world stage. Her gold medal win was just the cherry on top.
During last year’s Women’s World Boxing Championships, scandal-besieged International Boxing Association (IBA), which has been stripped of its Olympic credentials, scrutinized and contested Lin’s gender, deciding to disqualify her and revoke her hard-won bronze medal.
FUEL TO THE FIRE
On the eve of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, the fauxtroversy was rehashed, with author J.K. Rowling adding fuel to the IBA dumpster fire.
After the IBA’s irrational attacks on Lin during a news conference, Lin faced an avalanche of pressure, but she persisted, instead focusing her energy on her matches and rising above the fray. She kept fighting and defeating her opponents one after another.
Although Poland’s Julia Szeremeta mocked and derided Lin on X and came after her again on the eve of the gold medal match by posting a meme questioning Lin’s gender, Lin coolly faced her down and won gold. Each of Lin’s heavy punches in the final against Szeremeta ultimately ended in a vanquishing of vicious vitriol, and once more drew attention to Taiwan thanks to her winning gold.
YEARS IN THE MAKING
Growing up in a single-parent home, Lin said she learned how to box so that she could protect her mother.
At first, she found it hard to gain acceptance, but she maintained her drive and spirit. She learned that she could cultivate an unsurpassed mindset, because of the frustrations and setbacks she experienced in major and minor matches. That ultimately enabled her win Taiwan’s first-ever gold medal in boxing — a feat forged through thousands of hours of training.
After Lin vanquished her opponent, she knelt down and kissed the floor of the ring. As she left the ring, she lifted her coach up and carried him around in celebration. This shows the indescribable bond between her and her teacher.
Standing on the podium during the award ceremony, she broke down in tears — an indication of her achieving her dream. Her tears were perhaps also a cathartic outpouring after all the nastiness she had to deal with — the terrible treatment which has gripped Taiwanese throughout the games.
TAIWAN’S RESPONSE
The Chinese Taipei Boxing Association has not yet filed a suit against the IBA for its attacks and the gender fauxtroversy, which led to storm clouds rising again over the Olympics and bullying from all around quickly following.
President William Lai (賴清德) said that the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee has issued a legal letter of warning to the IBA, and is discussing with the IOC filing further complaints and legal motions to stand up for Lin’s dignity and honor.
The government should act as quickly as possible to help restore Lin’s honor and name. It should participate in competitions of all levels, so that Taiwanese athletes never again fall victim to gender fauxtroversies.
Wen Shun-te is a high-school principal.
Translated by Tim Smith
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