Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won the gold medal in the women's 66-kilogram division at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games On Friday, defeating current welterweight world champion Yang Liu of China.
Khelif took the top spot on the podium after winning the three-round fight by unanimous decision.
Algeria's Imane Khelif, left, battles Yang Liu of China in the women's gold medal match at the Paris 2024 Games. (Sebastian Kahnert/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)
Khelif took the first round on all five cards, and seemed to win over the judges in the final moments with a combination of punches. Despite a slow start to the fight, Both boxers In the first round, Khelif came out all guns blazing and had Yang on the ropes almost immediately.
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Yang responded with equal energy, but Khelif took the second round in similar fashion. In the third, Yang seemed to miss out on the chance to win the gold medal, and Khelif eventually took the gold medal for Algeria.
Khelif has faced scrutiny over a gender eligibility controversy that began with a disqualification at the 2023 International Boxing Association World Championships, the same tournament where Yang was crowned champion.
Imane Khelif of Algeria, left, and Yang Liu of China compete in the women's 66-kilogram boxing final during the 2024 Olympic Games on August 9, 2024. (Mohd Rasfan/AFP via Getty Images)
The IBA president said at the time that Khelif and Taiwanese Olympic boxer Lin Yu-tingwho will also fight in a gold medal match on Saturday, were disqualified after they were found to have “XY chromosomes.”
But Khelif and the International Olympic Committee maintain that the Algerian Olympian is eligible to compete.
ALGERIAN BOXER IMANE KHELIF DOMINATES HIS THAI RIVAL AND ADVANCES TO THE GOLD MEDAL FIGHT
The IOC issued a statement on August 1 clarifying that all boxers competing in the women's events “comply with the competition eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set out by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU).
“As in previous Olympic boxing competitions, the gender and age of athletes are based on their passport,” the statement continued.
Khelif did not lose a round on any scorecard in Paris, according to The Associated Press.
Gold medalist Imane Khelif of Algeria poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 66 kilogram final during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on August 9, 2024. (Mohd Rasfan/AFP via Getty Images)
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After defeating Italy's Angela Carin in just 46 seconds, Khelif defeated Hungary's Luca Anna Hamori by unanimous decision in the quarterfinals and did the same against Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng on Tuesday to advance to the gold medal match.
Khelif's gold medal is Algeria's first in women's boxing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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