On Saturday, the 14th day of the boxing tournament, four finals took place at the specially prepared Roland Garros venue.

The Olympic champions were Lin Yu-Ting, Abdumaik Khalokov, Qian Li and Bakhodir Jalolov. They lived up to expectations and stood on the podium on the final day of Olympic boxing to receive their Olympic glory.

The women's -57kg final, held as night fell in Paris, was marked by the presence of Lin Yu-Ting. Julia Szeremeta knew she was up against a tough opponent who had won all her previous bouts convincingly. The Taiwanese boxer kept her distance throughout using long straight punches effectively. 

The 1.75m tall Lin Yu-Ting dominated the fight from the start. Szeremeta tried to move to the side to avoid the Taiwanese's powerful punches. However, the Polish fighter couldn't find a way to get close to her opponent. Lin Yu-Ting's punches were fast and powerful, always delivered directly. 

The first round of the fight was dominated by the Taiwanese boxer. Szeremeta then tried to change her tactics and counter her opponent after Lin Yu-Ting's mistakes but to no avail.

The second round was more of the same. Szeremeta grew frustrated as nothing seemed to work and she watched her hopes fade. 

At just 20 years of age, Szeremeta considered just getting to the final an achievement in itself. However, she didn't give up on her quest for an upset. Only a last-ditch effort could have secured her victory, but it never came. Lin Yu-Ting won the gold medal living up to expectations.

From the moment she arrived in Paris and the IOC gave her permission to compete, Lin Yu-Ting was in the limelight. So was Algeria's Imane Khelif, who also won an Olympic gold medal last Friday to secure Algeria's second boxing gold.

Both were disqualified by the IBA at the World Championships but made the most of IOC's acceptance and claimed gold medals. The debate is still raging and their victories will continue to spark debate as the controversy goes on.

The decision was unanimous, with all the judges declaring Lin Yu-Ting the winner. She kissed her badge as the referee raised her arm in victory. The Taiwanese boxer knelt in the ring to applause and a few boos from the crowd and kissed the Olympic rings. Szeremeta made no special gesture. 

Unlike Bulgaria's Svetlana Staneva and Turkey's Esra Yaldiz, who had earlier protested against the doubts surrounding Lin Yu-Ting's gender identity. The only gesture the Polish fighter made was to form a heart with her fingers. The 20-year-old finished second. Lin Yu-Ting cried as she accepted her medal on the Olympic podium.

The second final pitted Abdumaik Khalokov of Uzbekistan against Munabek Seiitbek Uulu of Kyrgyzstan. Khalokov, the 2023 World Champion, was the overwhelming favourite. He had improved considerably in recent years and was almost unbeatable. However, he was up against an opponent with a high strike rate and considerable power. The two fighters were so cautious in the first round that the referee had to issue a warning for inactivity. 

Seiitbek Uulu was in need of a chaotic, unstructured fight. Khalokov hit and moved away, but never lost sight of the fight. All five judges awarded the first round to Khalokov. 

The Uzbek changed his stance to lead with his left confusing his opponent. Khalokov then showed his full range of skills. The fight was easier than expected. Seiitbek Uulu watched helplessly as his Olympic final slipped away, unable to do any damage to Khalokov. The second round was unanimously awarded to Khalokov and he enjoyed his advantage in the third.

Li Qian (China) faced Atheyna Bibiechi Bylon (Panama) in the third final on the final night of Olympic boxing. Having won bronze at Rio 2016 and silver at Tokyo 2020, Li Qian was aiming for gold this time. 

Bylon, a pioneer in Panamanian boxing, was the first woman from her country to qualify for the Olympics. Her experience gave her an edge. She was the world champion in 2014, and ten years later she found herself fighting for Olympic gold.

Bylon tried to use her reach advantage, while Qian Li tried to dictate the pace, the Panamanian waiting for opportunities. Bylon was in no mood to waste energy. The first round was unanimously awarded to Li Qian, who then led the fight with a more active approach than Bylon. The Panamanian waited for an opportunity to surprise Li Qian. 

Li Qian made no mistakes and executed a serious game plan. The final quickly turned in the Chinese boxer's favour and only an upset could deny her the gold medal. A silver medal at the age of 35 was a satisfying result for Bylon, who was competing in her third Olympics. Li Qian became the fifth Chinese boxer to reach a final at Paris 2024, earning another gold for the Asian giant.

The men's -92kg gold medal bout between Bakhodir Jalolov (Uzbekistan) and Ayoub Ghadfa Drissi el Aissaqui (Spain) was the final of the Olympic boxing tournament. Jalolov entered the competition as the reigning world, Olympic and Asian champion.

Jalolov's 14 victories from 14 fights was an intimidating record for the Spanish boxer but it also presented a historic opportunity to win Spain's first boxing gold. The first round went to Jalolov, who landed powerful left hands from his towering height of over two metres. The referee stopped the fight after Jalolov landed two shots to the face. 

Ghadfa Drissi el Aissaqui survived the count and pressed hard in the second round but Jalolov's left hand was too deadly, leaving the Spaniard with no chance and the Uzbek secured another gold medal for his country. 

Results for 10 August:

Finals. Women’s 57 kg:

Lin Yu-Ting (TPA) vs. Julia Szeremeta (Poland) 5-0

Gold: Lin Yu-Ting Silver: Julia Szeremeta

Finals. Men’s 57 kg:

Abdumaik Khalokov (Uzbekistan) vs. Munabek Seiitbek Uulu (KGZ) 5-0

Gold: Abdumaik Khalokov Silver: Munabek Seiitbek Uulu

Finals. Women’s 75 kg:

Li Qian (China) vs. Atheyna Bibiechi Bylon (Panama) 4-1

Gold: Li Qian Silver: Atheyna Bibiechi Bylon

Finals. Men’s 92 kg:

Bakhodir Jalolov (Uzbekistan) vs. Ayoub Ghadfa Drissi el Aissaqui (Spain) 5-0

Gold: Bakhodir Jalolov Silver: Ayoub Ghadfa Drissi el Aissaqui