Controversial Olympian Imane Khelif secured a spot in the women’s 66kg quarter-final by defeating Hungarian Anna Luca Hamori, guaranteeing herself a medal.
Khelif advanced to the final eight after Angela Carini abandoned their last 16 fight 46 seconds in, citing the most brutal hit she had ever received. This incident sparked controversy and a gender eligibility debate.
Last year, Khelif was disqualified from the Women’s World Championships for failing to meet eligibility criteria due to high testosterone levels. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) cleared her to compete in the Olympics. IOC President Thomas Bach defended her inclusion, stating, “We are talking about women’s boxing. We have two boxers who were born and raised as women, have passports, and have competed for many years as women. This is the clear definition of a woman.”
Khelif received strong support from Algerian fans in the packed North Paris Arena and rewarded their enthusiasm with a decisive win over Hamori. She showcased her power early on, using her jab effectively to score points and keep Hamori at a distance. However, the referee deducted points for a blow to the back of Hamori’s head.
