PARIS – Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, targeted in a “gender eligibility’’ controversy at these Games, etched her name into Olympic history Friday night.
She’s now a gold medalist.
Khelif, 25, beat China’s Yang Liu in the women’s welterweight finals at Roland-Garros Stadium, capping a turbulent experience at the Olympics.
“I’m very happy. For eight years, this has been my dream and I’m now the Olympic champion and gold medallist,” Khelif said. “I’ve worked for eight years, no sleep, eight years tired. Now I’m Olympic champion.
“I want to thank all the people who have come to support me. All the people from Algeria and all the people at my base. I want to thank all the team, my coach. Thank you so much.”
Thousands of Algerian fans remained to cheer as Khelif received her gold medal. After it was draped around her neck, she shook her fists in the air as the crowd rose for the national anthem. After a spirited rendition, Khelif put the gold medal between her teeth as she and the other medalists posed for pictures. She was in no hurry to leave the ring or end the celebration. But eventually she exits, the last to vacate what has been her sanctuary during these Olympics. The blessed boxing ring.
Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting have been subjected to abuse on social media and inaccurate media speculation about their sexes even though the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said they both have met all criteria and that there’s no question they are women.
The Russian-backed International Boxing Association brought the issue to the surface last week. The IBA, which is not recognized by the IOC and has no role in Olympic boxing, stripped Lin (gold) and Khelif (bronze) of their 2023 World Championship medals after the organization claimed they failed gender eligibility tests. The IOC and others have raised concerns about the veracity of those tests.
While the issue raged, the two boxers continued to excel in the ring.
Khelif won all four of her bouts at the Olympics.
Lin, 28, fights for gold Saturday against Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in women’s featherweight (126 pounds) division. Lin has won all three of her bouts on points by unanimious decision.
Khelif, 25, won her opening bout when Italy’s Angela Carini quit 46 seconds into the match in the round of 16. She won on points by unanimous decision in the quarterfinals against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori and in the semifinals against Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng.
Round 3: Khelif wins a gold medal
Khelif fighting off her back foot as Liu stalks. Is this an attempt to protect her lead on the scorecards? Liu still stalking but not unloading punches. Khelif keeping her at bay with the jab and proving elusive. The chants of “Imane’’ fill the arena again. Khelif dancing as the final bell rings and the crowd roars.
Round 2: Khelif wins first two rounds
Bell rings and you know what’s next: the chants of “Imane!’’ Liu lands a hard left, showing aggression now. But Khelif lands a solid shot and exchanges ensue. Again, all five judges award the round to Khelif.
Round 1: Khelif takes it
The chants start seconds after the bell rings. “Imane, Imane, Imane!” Boxers tangle at the center of the ring, but a sluggish start here. Khelif lands a jab, and the Algerians are singing as Khelif scores again with the jab. Then lands a nice combination with Liu on the ropes! Decibel levels climbing and all five judges award the round to Khelif.
Imane Khelif makes entrance
Massive applause as Khelif emerges wearing red. No question who the crowd favorite will be in the 15,000-seat capacity boxing venue at Roland-Garros Stadium. Some boos rain down as her opponent enters.
At last, the boxing resumes
With two medal ceremonies complete, it’s back to boxing. First up: the men’s heavyweight final. Then, Imane Khelif fighting for gold.
How many rounds are Olympic bouts?
Bouts are scheduled for three rounds and are scored by five judges. Using a 10-point system, each judge awards 10 points to the boxer they deem won the round and at least nine points to the boxer they deem lost the round.
Barring a stoppage, the winner of the bout will be determined by points based on the judges’ scorecards. A boxer earns one point for each judge who deems the boxer has won at least two of the three rounds.
IOC to make a call on boxing’s future next year
A decision on boxing’s inclusion at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has to be made in 2025, IOC president Thomas Bach said on Friday.
The boxing competition at the Paris Olympics is being run by the IOC after it stripped the International Boxing Association (IBA) of recognition last year over its failure to implement reforms on governance and finance.
The IOC has not included the sport on the LA 2028 program yet and has urged national boxing federations to create a new global boxing body or risk missing out on the Olympics in four years’ time. −Reuters
Crowd starts to get restless
Still one bout to go before Khelif enters the ring, and Algerians got on their feet and waved flags. But it gets worse for the restless. Before the boxing resumes, they’re holding two medal ceremonies inside the ring.
Imane Khelif draws support again
Algerians began arriving early in strong numbers for Khelif’s bout, with one woman wearing a T-shirt that reads, “Algerian Feminists Stand With You.”
When is Imane Khelif’s next fight?
10:51 p.m. Paris time (4:51 p.m. ET) Friday, August 9
How to watch Imane Khelif’s next fight
The fight will be broadcast on NBC/Peacock.
Where will the match be held?
Roland Garros Stadium, home of the French Open
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boxer Imane Khelif wins Olympic gold medal after controversy
