Sunday's Olympic boxing tournament was once again dominated by Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, just as Saturday's was by Algeria's Imane Khelif. Both were at the centre of a major controversy over gender equality in boxing. Khelif secured her bronze medal on Saturday. On Sunday, 28-year-old Lin Yu-ting secured hers, reaching the semi-finals of the women's -57kg division after a unanimous points victory over Bulgaria's Svetlana Stanev.Khelif did so in the 66kg category and Lin in the 57kg.

There was a lot of talk about both of them in Paris, as much or more than about the boxing itself. Ever since Khelif's victory over her Italian opponent Angela Carini in just 46 seconds, her participation has been in doubt. Lin, who has also been the subject of controversy, has shut down her social media to avoid negative reaction and focus on her goal of winning gold. "I would like to thank everyone who supports me from Taiwan," she said.

The Taiwanese boxer started on the defensive but soon took control of the fight and in the second round she went on the offensive. She scored enough points to take control of the fight. Lin, who will face Turkey's Esra Yildiz Kahraman at Roland-Garros on Wednesday, said her goal was to keep going and become a gold medallist.

There were also some unexpected victories on Sunday, such as Cameroonian boxer Cindy Ngamba, who competes for the refugee team. She defeated Davina Michel of France 5-0. This was the first boxing medal for the team. This is unprecedented for the refugee team since its inception. Ngamba was bullied as a child for her homosexuality. 

Despite these obstacles, she found her way through boxing at a local youth club. She became a three-time British champion and made history by becoming the first refugee to qualify for the Olympic Games through pre-Olympic tournaments. She won a bronze medal. She was granted refugee status in 2022. She will compete in the women's -75kg final.

Sunday's session featured several exciting fights due to the attractiveness of the boxers and their styles. One of them was Hansangboy Dusmatov, a world and Olympic champion. He was the clear favourite in his category and faced David Pina (CPV). The first few rounds were very much in the Uzbek's favour, however. He began to dance and manage the timing of the fight, moving in and out of range and controlling the fight. His movements left his opponent without a chance. 

Uzbekistan continued to move towards their goal of becoming a world power. The Rio 2016 gold medallists reached the final despite Pina's attempts to land a surprise punch. After the first round, Pina was forced to take risks and Dusmatov finished the job. The Uzbek celebrated his victory before the end. He will face French boxer Billal Bennama in the final.

Another exciting fight was the men's semi-final between Erislandi Alvarez (Cuba) and Laha Guruli (GEO) in the 63.5kg category. Two different styles: the Cuban, who was looking to overcome his previous defeats in major events, and Guruli, an atypical Georgian who is not the usual brawler, but rather a skilled and technical boxer. The Cuban came in as the favourite and looked to gain respect in the first round. Alvarez tried to show off, but Guruli managed to stand his ground. However, the Cuban's movement caused the Georgian to miss too much. Guruli's punches missed their mark. 

The Georgian, who entered the ring with a cut over his eye from a previous fight, had to be attended to. Guruli didn't give up. But Alvarez didn't rest. Alvarez will face French boxer Sophiane Oumiha in the final on Wednesday 7 August, after Oumiha defeated Canada's Wyatt Sandford. The bronze medals went to Guruli and Sandford.

Another highlight was the 80kg semi-final between Oleksandr Khyzhniak (Ukraine) and Arlen López (Cuba). The Ukrainian 'Tank' is a two-time European champion and one of the most aggressive boxers. He was up against two-time Olympic champion Arlen López. The Cuban was in contention to be one of the only three boxers with three Olympic gold medals: Hungarian Laszlo Papp and Cubans Teofilo Stevenson and Felix Simon. 

López withstood the Ukrainian's relentless attacks, but Khyzhniak took control of the bout. The two boxers split the first two rounds, but in the third the Ukrainian launched an all-out assault and won, denying López a third Olympic medal. Bronze went to Arlen López.

Other notable events included the defeat of Spain's Emanuelle Reyes in his bid to reach the men's -92kg final against Loren Berto (Azerbaijan). Reyes lost 4-1 in a somewhat controversial decision by the judges, who rewarded Berto's passivity over Reyes' boldness. Reyes had to settle for bronze after losing the semi-final. Spain hasn't won a boxing medal since Sydney 2000. Rafa Lozano was the last.

Next Tuesday is a rest day for the boxers. After that, the tournament will move to Roland Garros.

Results of the day, 4 August:

Women’s 57 kg Quarterfinals

 Lin Yu Ting (TPE) vs. Svetlana Kaenova (Bulgaria) 5-0 – Lin Yu Ting secures the bronze.

Esra Yildiz (Turkey) vs. Jucielen Cerqueira (Brazil) 4-1 – Yildiz secures the bronze.

Women’s 75 kg Quarterfinals

Li Quian Lovlina (China) vs. Borgohain (India) 4-1 – Li Quian secures the bronze.

Caitlin Parker (Australia) vs. Khadija Mardi (Morocco) 4-1 – Parker secures the bronze.

Women’s 54 kg Semifinal

Chang Yuan (China) vs. Pang Cholmi (PRK) 3-2 – Bronze for Cholmi.

Men’s 51 kg Semifinal

Billal Bennama (France) vs. Yunior Alcantara (Dominican Republic) 5-0 – Bronze for Alcantara.

Men’s 63.5 kg Semifinal

Wyatt Sandford (Canada) vs. Sophiane Oumiha (France) 1-4 – Bronze for Sandford.

Men’s 80 kg Semifinal

Cristian Javier (Dominican Republic) vs. Nurbek Oralbay (Kazakhstan) 2-3 – Bronze for Cristian Javier.

Men’s 92 kg Semifinal

Emanuelle Reyes (Spain) vs. Loren Berto Alfonso (Azerbaijan) 1-4 – Bronze for Emanuelle Reyes

Women’s 57 kg Quarterfinals

Nesthy Peteccio (Philippines) vs. Xu Zichum (China) 5-0 – Peteccio secures the bronze.

Ashleyan Lozada (Puerto Rico) vs. Julia Szeremeta (Poland) 0-5 – Szeremeta secures the bronze.

Women’s 75 kg Quarterfinals

Atheyna Bibeichi (PAN) vs. Elzbieta Wojcik (Poland) 3-2 – Bronze for Bibechi.

Cindy Ngamba (EOR) vs. Davina Michel (France) 5-0 – Bronze for Ngamba.

Women’s 54 kg Semifinal

Hatice Akbas (Turkey) vs. Im Aeji (Korea) 3-2 – Bronze for Im Aeji.

Men’s 51 kg Semifinal

David de Pina (CPV) vs. Hansanboy Dusmatov (Uzbekistan) 0-5 – Bronze for Pina.

Men’s 63.5 kg Semifinal

Erislandi Alvarez (Cuba) vs. Laha Guruli (GEO) 5-0 – Bronze for Guruli.

Men’s 80 kg Semifinal

Oleksandr Khyzhniak (Ukraine) vs. Arlen López (Cuba) 3-2 – Bronze for Arlen López.

Men’s 92 kg Semifinal

Lazizbek Mullojonov (Uzbekistan) vs. Datlav Boltaev (TJK) 4-1 – Bronze for Boltaev.