China had the best showing in the women's Olympic boxing competition at the Paris Olympics. Out of the six weight classes, China took three golds and two silver medals. Leading the charge for the Chinese women was Li Qian, who put her name in the history books by completing a historic triple crown with a gold medal at middleweight. Li had already won a silver medal at Tokyo 2021 and bronze from Rio 2016, making her the first and only woman in the sport to ever make it onto an Olympic podium at three consecutive games. The other boxers bring gold back to China are Chang Yuan in the women’s bantamweight category and Wu Yu at flyweight. Two of the other golds went to Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu Ting of Taiwan, who are the subject of gender controversies based on unproven allegations that they are genetic males. Ireland's Kellie Harrington also won gold, becoming a two-time Olympic champion.

Returning to China with silver medals are Wenlu Yang (who lost to Harrington) and Liu Yang (who lost to Khalif).

“I took the fights step by step,” Li said after her win over Panama’s Atheyna Bylon. “But it has always been my dream to get a gold medal and it has finally come true … I was just so proud for my country when I saw the flag.”

Going in as a former world champion and the top seeded boxer in her category, Li was the heavy favorite to win gold, but Bylon wasn’t going to make it easy for her in the final, putting up a tough fight but eventually falling to Li 4-1.

Though Bylon had to settle for the silver medal at middleweight, she still accomplished a major feat in becoming Panama’s first ever woman to medal at an Olympic Games. “It’s not what I wanted, but I got a medal so I’m happy,” she said after the match. It’s historic, so I have to be delighted with that … I am sure it will be a great reception when I get back to Panama, even if it’s not gold I'm taking home.” Australia’s Caitlin Parker and IOC Refugee Olympic Team’s Cindy Ngumba clinched the bronze medals after falling to Li and Bylon in the semifinals, respectively.