TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Lai Chu-en, the young Taiwanese boxing prodigy, now has the opportunity to upgrade his silver medal to gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
This announcement follows doping allegations against Mongolian boxer Baatarsukhiin Chinzorig, who was initially declared the gold medalist in the 63.5 kg category.
It's important to note that Lai, at the age of 20, is the first male Taiwanese boxer to secure an Asian Games medal since Chen Wei-jen won bronze at the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games.
Lai, with Paiwan lineage, has been determined in his pursuit of participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
If Chinzorig's medal is revoked, Taiwan's gold count on the tally board will increase to 20.
Chinzorig, a silver medalist at the 2023 IBA World Boxing Championships, could face potentially career-threatening consequences with a four-year ban from the sport if the allegations are substantiated.
Additional repercussions might include the loss of his Asian Games gold medal and disqualification from the upcoming Paris Olympics.