Lin Yu-Ting advances to the final round in the women's 57kg final. (Image by Getty)

WATCH: Esra Kahraman makes "XX" gesture after losing to controversial boxer Lin Yu-Ting in the women's boxing semi-finals at Paris Olympics

Modified Aug 08, 2024 10:36 GMT

Turkish boxer Esra Kahraman made a "XX" gesture after losing to Taiwan's Lin Yu-Ting in the semifinal women's 57kg. This comes amid the gender controversy that Lin has been engulfed in since the start of the Olympics.

On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, Lin defeated Kahraman to advance to the gold medal match. Following the bout, as the Taiwanese boxer was leaving the ring, the Turkish boxer signaled "X" with her two fingers. Lin's victory came a day after another controversial boxer Imane Khelif earned a spot in the finals.

Khelif defeated Janjaem Suwannaphennng to advance to the final round in the women's 66kg weight category. Both Khelif and Lin drew considerable media attention after Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew from her bout against Khelif in the round of 16 within a few seconds.

Although the boxers were deemed eligible to compete in the Paris Olympics, they were disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) from the 2023 World Championships held in Delhi, India. At the latest Olympic edition, they were labeled transgender even though they have not self-identified as one.

The IBA disqualified the boxers for failing a gender test, claiming they carried XY chromosomes. Before Kahraman, Bulgaria's Svetlana Staneva also displayed a sign of "X" after losing to Yu-Ting in the Quarterfinals, supposedly symbolizing "XX" chromosomes.

Watch the video of Kahraman gesturing "X" after the bout here:

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"It’s been a tough journey to reach the finals" - Lin Yu-Ting reflects on 2020 Tokyo Olympic early elimination

Lin Yu-ting competes against Sitora Turdibekova during the Women's 57kg preliminary round 16 match at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo via Getty Images)

Lin Yu-Ting competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the featherweight category (57-60 kg). However, the Taiwanese boxer fell in the round of 16 that time.

She was defeated by Phillippines Nesthy Petecio 3-2, ending her Olympic campaign. However, Lin Yu-Ting has competed brilliantly to reach the final three years later.

In an interview with The Guardian, she expressed her delight in advancing to the last round while also reflecting on the Tokyo setback.

“I am one fight closer to my goal of the gold medal. I really enjoyed that fight," Lin Yu-Ting said.

“The feeling of entering the gold-medal match is one of gratitude to myself for making it this far. After going out in the first round of the Tokyo Olympics, it’s been a tough journey to reach the finals. I will use everything I’ve learned in my life to do my best in the next match," she added.

Lin Yu-Ting will face Poland's Julia Szeremeta on Saturday, August 10, 2024.