Imane Khelif has guaranteed herself an Olympic medal in Paris as the Algerian boxer claimed a unanimous points victory over Luca Anna Hamori in the women’s 66kg category as the gender row goes on in the background.
Last year, Khelif was disqualified from the women’s World Championships in New Delhi for failing a gender eligibility test. Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting was also banned for failing to meet the gender eligibility criteria of the International Boxing Association (IBA), though both have been cleared to compete in Paris.
Khelif will next face Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng in the semi-finals, two days after Angela Carini quit just 46 seconds into their last 16 bout with Khelif following two significant punches from the Algerian.
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The first round against Hamori saw both boxers hit and get hit. The Algerian landed a powerful one-two but as the first three minutes went on the more Hamori grew into the contest, Khelif however edged the scorecards.
An entertaining second saw plenty of to and fro, with Khelif cheered on by a large Algerian contingent inside the venue, though the 25-year-old was well on top and Hamori required a knock-out in the third to snatch victory and the promise of an Olympic medal.
That knock-out wouldn’t come, however, as Khelif stood firm and eventually won unanimously on points.
Her victory did not come with any significant drama reminiscent of the furore of Khelif’s previous win, with Hamori touching gloves following the verdict in a mark of respect to her opponent.
The IBA has not specified why Khelif or Lin failed their gender eligibility tests in 2023, but clarified that the pair did not undergo testosterone examinations. Neither boxer identifies as transgender or intersex.
On the morning of Khelif’s fight with Hamori, her father Amar felt compelled to share an official document confirming that his daughter was born female.
He then launched a stinging attack on the criticism that Khelif has faced over the past few days, insisting: “The attacks against her are immoral, it is not fair.
“Imane is a little girl that has loved sport since she was six-years-old, she used to play football. These critics and rumours aim to destabilise Imane, they don’t want her to be the champion of the world.
“I tell her prove them wrong in the ring and I hope that she will honour Algeria and Arabic countries and win the gold medal. She is our role model, and we want to be like her and honour Algeria and Tiaret.”
Carini, who quit after 46 seconds against Khelif and kickstarted the fury towards her opponent earlier in the week, has since apologised for not shaking the Algerian’s hand and for her post-fight comments.
“All this controversy makes me sad,” the Italian claimed. “I’m sorry for my opponent, too. … If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.
“It wasn’t something I intended to do [ignoring the handshake]. Actually, I want to apologise to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke. I don’t have anything against Khelif. Actually, if I were to meet her again I would embrace her.”
