Imane Khelif eases to Olympic gold after Algerian star shows incredible strength to overcome gender eligibility controversy in style
Imane Khelif cruised to gold in the women’s Olympic 66kg boxing as she shook off a Games that had been overshadowed by controversy.
The Algerian faced China’s Yang Liu in the finale at Roland Garros in Paris on Friday.
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Khelif didn’t let her critics stand in her way on her path to goldCredit: AFPKhelif looked comfortable throughout the bout, with her taking all three rounds.
And as the bell rang to end the fight, she and Yang smiled and embraced as she took in becoming an Olympic champion.
Yang raised her opponent’s arm into the air – a completely different reaction to that of Khelif’s opening opponent, Italy’s Angela Carini.
MORE ON THE OLYMPICSSpeaking to talkSPORT after her win, Khelif said: “I’m really happy for this gold medal. It’s strong, the gold medal!
After four or five good performances for me I’m very happy. Eight years, to work. Eight years, no sleep. Eight years, tired.
“Now a gold medallist – I’m happy.”
Khelif has been at the centre of ongoing controversy at the Games after the 25-year-old beat Carini in just 46 seconds in her first bout last Thursday, with the Italian complaining of being hit harder than she ever had before.
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The Algerian’s inclusion in the women’s boxing event at Paris 2024 was questioned as a result.
Khelif failed a gender eligibility test in 2023, resulting in her being disqualified from the World Championships due to having ‘elevated levels of testosterone’ and XY chromosomes.
But the International Olympics Committee allowed Khelif to compete in Paris, where they defended their decision in a lengthy statement following her victory over Carini.
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Khelif is an Olympic championCredit: Getty
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Khelif did her trademark victory dance in the ring after the fightCredit: Getty
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She was cheered on by many Algerian fans at Roland GarrosCredit: AFPKhelif did not let the backlash affect her though, screaming ‘I am a woman’ following her quarter final victory over Hungary’s Luca Anna Hamori.
After her semi-final win over Janjaem Suwannapheng, she said: “I don’t care what anyone is saying about me with the controversy.
“All that is important to me is that I stay on the level and give my people the performance they deserve. I know I’m a talented person and this is a gift to all Algerians.”
She sealed four wins out of four in her run to gold.
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Khelif proudly kissed her medalCredit: AFPKhelif’s victory on Friday night saw her become the first Algerian woman to win any Olympic boxing medal, let alone gold.
She was the first woman to represent Algeria at the Olympics in boxing at Tokyo 2020 where she reached the quarter-finals.
Read More on talkSPORTLin Yu Ting, who has also been at the centre of the gender row this summer, faces Julia Szeremeta of Poland on Saturday in the 57kg division.
The China athlete also failed the IBA test but was deemed eligible for the Olympics and has made the final of her weight category.
