Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is set to fight for an Olympic gold medal on Friday after overcoming the controversy surrounding her eligibility to secure a decisive semi-final victory against Janjaem Suwannapheng in Paris.
The victory ensures her place in the finals, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Khelif, competing in the welterweight category, is one of two boxers participating in Paris despite having been disqualified from last year’s World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) following failed gender eligibility tests.
Amid fervent support at the Court Philippe Chatrier, a venue typically reserved for tennis, Khelif dominated her Thai opponent, winning by unanimous decision.
This win propels Khelif to her first Olympic final, after being eliminated in the quarter-finals at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. She will face Liu Yang of China in the gold-medal match, aiming to become Algeria’s first boxing gold medallist.
“I am entirely focused on my goal,” said the 25-year-old Khelif. “My dream is to perform at my best, and I will give everything I have in the final.”
Khelif’s victory against Suwannapheng echoes their previous encounter at last year’s World Championships, where Khelif also won by unanimous decision before her disqualification by the IBA. The crowd’s chants of her name filled the venue as she entered the ring, bolstering her confidence.
After her win was confirmed, Khelif celebrated with a dance on the canvas, and the bout concluded with a heartfelt embrace between the two competitors.
Suwannapheng remarked, “I had heard about the news regarding her, but I wasn’t following it closely. She is a woman, but she is very strong. I tried to use my speed, but my opponent was just too strong.”
Expressing her gratitude, Khelif added, “I am extremely happy and grateful for all the support here in Paris. I want to thank all the people of Algeria who came to support me.”
Khelif’s Olympic journey began with a swift victory against Angela Carini last week, a bout that ended in just 46 seconds when the Italian boxer withdrew, citing concerns for her safety.
This incident sparked widespread debate over the eligibility of Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, who was also disqualified by the IBA last year.
The IBA stated that Khelif “failed to meet the eligibility criteria for participating in the women’s competition,” according to its regulations. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) countered that the pair had been “suddenly disqualified without any due process.”
The IOC, which suspended the IBA in 2019 due to issues with its finances, governance, ethics, refereeing, and judging, has allowed Khelif and Lin to compete, offering strong support.
IOC President Thomas Bach affirmed their eligibility, stating, “There was never any doubt that they are women.”
Despite a chaotic news conference held by the IBA on Monday, which featured conflicting statements from key figures, the IOC clarified that competitors are eligible for the women’s division if their passports indicate they are female.
Khelif, already assured of a bronze medal by reaching the semi-final, now has her sights set on the final, the pinnacle of her Olympic journey. Lin Yu-ting will compete in her semi-final in the 57kg category on Wednesday, adding another layer of intrigue to the ongoing controversy.
As Khelif prepares for the final, the support from her fans and the backing of the IOC highlight the resilience and determination that have characterized her journey. With the gold medal within reach, Khelif’s story is one of overcoming obstacles and striving for excellence on the world stage.
Source: BBC Sports
