Imane Khelif has guaranteed herself an Olympic medal in Paris, as the controversial boxer defeated Luca Anna Hamori in the women’s welterweight division.
Last year, Khelif was disqualified from the women’s World Championships in New Delhi for failing a gender eligibility test. Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting was also banned for failing to meet the gender eligibility criteria of the International Boxing Association (IBA), though both have been cleared to compete in Paris.
Khelif will next face Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng in the semi-finals, two days after Angela Carini quit just 46 seconds into their last 16 bout with Khelif, after the Algerian landed two significant punches.
The first round against Hamori saw both boxers hit and get hit. The Algerian landed a powerful one-two but as the first three minutes went on the more Hamori grew into the contest, Khelif however edged the scorecards.
An entertaining second saw plenty of to and fro, with Khelif cheered on by a large Algerian contingent inside the venue, though the 25-year-old was well on top and Hamori required a knock-out in the third to snatch victory and the promise of an Olympic medal.
That knock-out wouldn’t come, however, as Khelif stood firm and eventually won unanimously on points.
Her victory did not come with any significant drama, reminiscent of the furore of Khelif’s previous victory, with Hamori touching gloves following the verdict in a mark of respect to her opponent.
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