Algerian boxer Imane Khelif ended her Paris Olympics campaign on a high note as she bagged the gold medal in boxing. Khelif defeated Liu of China in a unanimous decision to finish right on top in the 66kg bout. The boxer’s campaign at the Games was marred by the gender row, with many questioning Khelif’s gender and participation in women’s events.
Imane Khelif wins gold at Paris Olympics
Khelif dominated the bout right from the word go and put her opponent on the backfoot with some hard-hitting punches. She claimed the first round in an unanimous fashion. The second round saw Khelif becoming more intense as she sent her opponent bouncing into the ropes in the opening seconds of the round.
After winning the second round, Khelif continued to put pressire on her opponent, hiting the final nail in the coffin as she won her first gold medal.
“I’m very happy. For eight years, this has been my dream and I’m now the Olympic champion and gold medallist,” she said after the fight. “I’ve worked for eight years, no sleep, eight years tired. Now I’m Olympic champion.”
Imane Khelif Controversy
Imane Khelif’s participation in the Olympics has been a subject of intense scrutiny due to her disqualification from the 2023 World Championships for failing to meet gender eligibility criteria. The International Boxing Association (IBA) conducted the tests but did not specify the reasons for the disqualification.
The IOC, however, has cleared Khelif to compete, stating that she meets the required criteria for female athletes. This disparity in regulations between the IBA and IOC has fueled the controversy surrounding the Algerian boxer.
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