Taiwan’s Ruling Party Celebrates Biologically Male Olympic Athlete Who Competed in Women’s Boxing for International Women’s Day

By Genevieve Gluck

Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has chosen to honor a controversial boxer for International Women’s Day, despite the global outcry over his participation in the women’s category during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Lin Yu-Ting (林郁婷) made headlines last year for taking home the gold medal in the women’s 57 kg featherweight category despite having previously been disqualified from women’s boxing due to having XY chromosomes.

In a graphic shared today by the official social media account of the DPP, Lin is pictured prominently alongside female boxers Chen Nien-chin (陳念琴）and Wu Shih-yi (吳詩儀).

“Join us in celebrating International Women’s Day and embracing a future where gender equality is a reality, not just an aspiration. As President Ching-te Lai says, achieving true equality requires persistent, daily effort,” reads the DPP post. “We are committed to that effort, building a more inclusive society and showcasing Taiwan’s dedication to gender equality on the world stage.”

Last year, intense debate ensued during the 2024 Olympic Games after Reduxx broke the news that Lin was one of two boxers participating in the women’s category who had previously been disqualified from a women’s championship for having “XY chromosomes.”

In 2023, Umar Kremlev, president of the International Boxing Association (IBA), announced the disqualification of multiple boxers from the Women’s World Boxing Championships. At the time, Kremlev stated that medical tests had proven the athletes in question “had XY chromosomes and were thus excluded from the sports events.”

Kremlev said that IBA executives had met towards the championship’s grand finale to discuss “fairness among athletes and professionalism,” after concerns were raised about the biological sex of some participants. He added that after “a series of DNA-tests,” the IBA “uncovered athletes who were trying to fool their colleagues and pretend to be women.”

However, Lin, who had previously won 5 gold medals in women’s boxing tournaments. was permitted by the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to compete in the Paris games in the women’s featherweight category. This was made possible by the fact that the IOC had ended sex testing for athletes in 1999, and allowed individual Olympic committees to set their own rules for eligibility.

Lin easily won the gold medal at the Olympics in a 5 – 0 sweep. His match against Turkish boxer Esra Yildiz Kahraman drew particular concern from critics after he delivered what appeared to be an illegal rabbit punch to the back of her head – a move that is banned on the basis for its potential to cause brain damage or death. As Lin struck the back of Kahraman’s head, the audience booed, and even the sports commentator noted with surprise that, “Lin got away with that.”

After having lost out on her chance to earn an Olympic medal, Kahraman raised her arms to the crowd defiantly and made an “X” with her index fingers, and footage of her protest symbol swiftly went viral online.

Yet despite massive controversy and evidence identifying Lin as male, he was immediately hailed as a hero upon his return to his home country following his ill-gotten Olympic win.

Taipei’s Chinese Culture University, one of the largest universities in Taiwan, appointed Lin to the post of an assistant professor within the Department of Physical Education.

Lin Yu-Ting pictured in theOffice of the President of Taiwan.

In addition, Lin was named an “anti-bullying ambassador” by Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), due to his “decision not to take legal action” against critics, such as acclaimed author J. K. Rowling, who have pointed out that he is male. Yet in the case of such litigation, the onus would be placed on Lin to prove that such claims are slander – and to date, he has not volunteered evidence which would indicate he is female.

Premier Cho Jung-tai also said he had asked the Ministry of Education to grant Lin a Kuo Kuang medal and NT$900,000 from a Kuo Kuang scholarship fund, as a gesture of goodwill as his 2023 world championship bronze medal had been revoked at the behest of the IBA.

Lin was also made an official representative for a company that sells sanitary pads for women. Every Day Mask produced a video featuring Lin in August 2024.

The feminine hygiene company captioned the advertisement with references to Lin being a “girl,” saying: “When magic tries to distort the facts, direct all doubtful eyes on her. We’ll tell the world, Lin Yuting is our spokesperson. A spokesperson for a sanitary tampon brand, as a girl. She will not only endorse our products but more – she will endorse our belief in girls. Because we believe every girl has the right to live in the most comfortable way as she likes. No need to explain to anyone, let alone prove to anyone. In our eyes, that is the most girlish you.”

Lin was again promoted shortly afterwards, and this time by the government. In October 2024, he was a speaker at an event held honoring the International Day of the Girl, organized by the Youth Development Agency of the Ministry of Education.

The event was aired on Taiwan’s public broadcasting service, the Public Television News Network. Lin told viewers that “no one can define what kind of girl” he should be, and that “no matter how the outside world evaluates it, we have the courage and strength to change our destiny.”

“Today is International Girls Day, which reminds me of myself along the way. From the moment I stepped into the ring, I knew this road was not easy, but I also firmly believed that no one could define what kind of ‘girl’ we should be,” Lin said.

“As an athlete, I want to tell all the girls who are pursuing their dreams: Don’t be afraid of challenges and be brave enough to pursue the life you want. Our strength comes not only from our bodies, but also from our inner persistence and belief.”

“Whether in the boxing ring or every challenge in life, as long as we believe in ourselves, our dreams will get closer step by step. I hope my story can inspire more girls to find their own stage and strive for their future.”

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Genevieve Gluck
Genevieve Gluck
Genevieve is the Co-Founder of Reduxx, and the outlet's Chief Investigative Journalist with a focused interest in pornography, sexual predators, and fetish subcultures. She is the creator of the podcast Women's Voices, which features news commentary and interviews regarding women's rights.
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