Lin Yu-ting advances to Asian Boxing Championship semifinals

Taipei, April 3 (CNA) Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷), the first Taiwanese boxer to win an Olympic gold medal, has secured a semifinal berth in the women's 60-kilogram division at the 2026 Asian Boxing Elite Boxing Championships after a dominant performance in Mongolia.

Lin, who has not competed internationally since the 2024 Paris Olympics, defeated top-seeded Ayaka Taguchi of Japan on Friday by unanimous decision, with all five judges scoring the three-round bout 30-27 in her favor.

Tseng Tzu-chiang (曾自強), Lin's coach, told CNA that the 30-year-old had not competed for some time before the tournament but showed improvement compared with her round-of-16 bout.

"Yu-ting is now cherishing her opportunities to compete more, but that has also made her a bit too cautious and worried about performing badly," Tseng said.

Unlike in August 2024, when she won gold in the women's 57-kg division, Lin has had to adjust her approach in the higher weight class, Tseng said, adding that such adjustments can only be made through real competition.

Lin will face Won Un Gyong of North Korea in the semifinals next Monday, which Tseng said will be a tough challenge.

Meanwhile, two other Taiwanese female boxers also reached the semifinals on Friday.

Three-time world championship medalist Huang Hsiao-wen (黃筱雯) defeated Thailand's Natnicha Chongprongklang by unanimous decision in the quarterfinals of the women's 54-kg division, while rising prospect Guo Yi-xuan (郭怡萱) edged South Korea's Bak Cho Rong 3-2 in the quarterfinals of the women's 51-kg division.