Algeria’s Imane Khelif secured a gold medal in the women’s boxing 66-kilogram division on Friday, winning over China’s Yang Liu in an exciting match that capped off a week filled with challenges and triumph.
As Khelif stepped onto the Philippe Chatrier Court at Roland Garros, she was greeted by thunderous applause.
Both Khelif and Yang were evenly matched, with the skills and physical attributes to pose a real threat to one another.
From the start, Khelif took control. She won the first round 10-9 on all five judges’ scorecards and landed a powerful punch early in the second round that momentarily stunned Yang.
Khelif’s strategy shifted in the second round as she focused on defense, picking her moments to strike while skillfully avoiding Yang’s increasingly desperate attacks.
By the third round, it was clear Khelif had the upper hand, and she carefully avoided any mistakes that could jeopardize her win.
Khelif’s journey to this Olympic gold was anything but easy.
It began on August 1st, when she defeated Italy’s Angela Carini in just 46 seconds after Carini withdrew, citing the intensity of Khelif’s punches.
Gender Controversy
This win brought renewed attention to Khelif’s controversial disqualification from the 2023 World Championships.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) had ruled that Khelif and another fighter, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, could not continue in the tournament, alleging “competitive advantages” without further explanation.
Related: Olympics: Angela Carini Withdraws from Fight Against Algerian Who Failed Gender Elegibility Test
Despite these accusations, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) supported Khelif and Lin, who have always competed in women’s divisions.
In an interview, Khelif described the toll the controversy took on her. “This thing has effects, massive effects. It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit, and mind.
“And it can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying,” she said.
Determined to rise above the challenges, Khelif continued to dominate the Olympic tournament.
She defeated Hungary’s Luca Hamori in the quarterfinals, despite a social media controversy stirred up by Hamori.
In the semifinals, Khelif faced Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng, the fighter who had advanced in the 2023 World Championships after Khelif’s disqualification.
Khelif won the match decisively, just as she had at the worlds before being disqualified.
Friday’s final was a rematch of sorts, as Yang Liu had won the 2023 World Championships in Khelif’s absence.
But this time, with her back in the ring, Yang couldn’t claim the gold.
