Olympic champion Lin advances to World Boxing Cup final in China

Taipei, June 20 (CNA) Taiwanese Olympic gold medalist Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷) advanced to the women's 60-kilogram final at the 2026 World Boxing Cup stop in China on Saturday after defeating former world champion Yang Chengyu (楊成宇) in the semifinals.

Lin secured a 4-1 split-decision victory over her Chinese opponent in Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province, to book her place in Sunday's gold-medal bout.

The win marks Lin's first appearance in a World Boxing Cup final since moving up to the 60 kg division following her gold-medal triumph at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

After taking a 19-month break from international competition amid uncertainty surrounding World Boxing's new sex-testing regulations, Lin returned to action earlier this year.

The tournament in Guiyang is only her second international event in the new weight class, following the Asian Boxing Championships in April, where she earned a bronze medal.

Despite the 31-year-old Yang fighting in front of a home crowd, Lin quickly established control in the opening round by using her height and speed advantage.

Yang fought back in the later rounds, but Lin did enough to convince four of the five judges and advance to the final.

Lin will next face Kazakhstan's Viktoriya Grafeyeva, a bronze medalist at last year's world championships, as she seeks her first international title since the Paris Games.

Lin's coach Tseng Tzu-chiang (曾自強) described the semifinal as a potential preview of the Asian Games in Japan later this year, noting that all four semifinalists could meet again at the continental event.

Tseng said Lin continues to face physical challenges after moving up from the 57 kg division, but praised her ability to control the pace of the fight and perform under pressure.

He added that Lin will need to improve her physicality and ability to handle contact to deliver more consistent performances against stronger opponents in the heavier weight class.

The World Boxing Cup takes place from June 15-21 and features 333 boxers from 44 countries and territories, according to organizers.