Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who became the focal point of a gender eligibility debate at the Paris Olympics, will fight in the final for the women’s 145-pound division Friday afternoon as she looks to secure what could be her country’s first gold medal in boxing.
Khelif won her last two fights via unanimous decision. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images via ... [+]
Khelif will fight Chinese boxer Yang Liu for a gold medal at 4:51 p.m. EDT after two unanimous decision victories in her quarterfinal and semifinal bouts.
Khelif enters the fight as the division’s No. 5 seed, while Liu enters as the No. 2 seed.
A win for Khelif would mark Algeria’s first gold medal in boxing and the end of an olympic run turned controversial after her preliminary round win against Italian boxer Angela Carini, who withdrew from their match after just 46 seconds.
The preliminary bout’s quick result created outrage directed at Khelif, whose physical appearance was blasted by critics.
Khelif faced scrutiny after the International Boxing Association disqualified her from the 2023 championships, citing an unspecified gender eligibility test (the association wasn’t responsible for deciding her Olympic eligibility after the International Olympic Committee stripped it of recognition due to governance and transparency issues).
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Khelif first drew attention after her bout with Carini, who forfeited from the match after sustaining a few strikes from Khelif. The Algerian boxer has been vocal about her Olympic run, telling the Associated Press people should “refrain from bullying all athletes.” IBA President Umar Kremlev told reporters this week the eligibility test Khelif took showed she had elevated testosterone levels. However, the president’s statement appeared to directly contradict a statement made by the IBA on July 31, stating Khelif “did not undergo a testosterone examination” and that specifics of the test “remain confidential.” Kremlev separately told a Russian news agency Khelif had XY chromosomes. The IOC has defended Khelif’s presence at the Olympics, saying there has not been any doubt regarding her being a woman and that it would “not take part in a sometimes politically motivated, cultural war.” Khelif has fought as a woman for her entire career and also made an appearance at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, losing to Irish boxer Kellie Harrington in the quarterfinals.
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