On Day 6 of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Angela Carini’s participation took a shocking twist when she withdrew from her preliminary boxing match against Algeria’s Imane Khelif just 46 seconds after the match commenced.
Khelif’s presence in the games has drawn criticism, particularly after she was disqualified from the World Championships due to ‘elevated testosterone levels that did not meet eligibility standards’, as stated by the IOC.
Nonetheless, Khelif, a biological woman with a condition known as differences in sex development, was permitted to compete in the Paris games.
The decision became a point of contention when Khelif delivered punishing blows to Carini, compelling her to step back from the competition.
The defeat was not merely a loss in the quest for a medal; it also upended Carini’s vow to her late father made before the games.
Angela Carini suffered a controversial loss to Imane Khelif at the Olympics
Carini entered the Paris games with a promise to honor her late father, Guiseppe
Upon qualifying for the Paris Olympics, Carini shared that earning a spot in the games held profound significance beyond merely representing her country.
Carini lost her father, Giuseppe, in 2021, shortly after her return from the Tokyo Games. Thus, she dedicated herself to honoring him in Paris, embodying all the wisdom he had imparted to her throughout her life.
‘I want to show you something,’ she said, pulling out her phone after qualifying. ‘Here’s my father. He told me, ‘Angelina, being a champion in boxing is much like cycling. Once they see the last kilometer, what do they do? They pedal even harder. So, go all the way because I’ll always be there with you.’
‘And that’s exactly what I did. Until the end, I fought with blood in my eyes.’
In the days leading up to the opening ceremony, Carini shared a slideshow of memories with her father on Instagram, captioned: ‘And a promise to my dad.’
Giuseppe passed away in 2021, shortly after Angela returned from the Tokyo Olympics
Carini withdrew from the fight less than a minute into the opening round on Thursday
The Italian boxer stated that she withdrew due to the strength of Khelif’s punches
Khelif’s next opponent is not intimidated despite the controversy surrounding her eligibility
Carini’s deep commitment to her promise became evident in the palpable sadness she expressed after her hasty exit from the competition. Even amidst her defeat, she drew upon the support and motivation she received from her father.
‘I am a fighter. My father instilled in me the spirit of a warrior. When in the ring, I adopt that warrior mentality, the mindset of a champion,’ Carini conveyed to the media after exiting the bout. ‘This time, I couldn’t achieve that.’
‘I didn’t consider it a loss; I simply chose to step back with grace.’
‘I have endured hardships,’ the Italian noted following her withdrawal. ‘I’ve never taken a blow like that before; it was impossible to go on. It’s not my place to declare anything illegal.’
Khelif is set to face Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in the women’s welterweight quarterfinals
Hamori triumphed decisively over Australia’s Marissa Williamson Pohlman in her last bout
Despite the backlash surrounding the IOC’s decision to permit a trans woman to compete, Khelif is scheduled to face Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in the quarterfinals.
While concerns about Khelif’s potential advantage have been raised on an international platform, Hamori stated that she feels no apprehension heading into Saturday’s contest.
‘I’m not intimidated,’ Hamori told the press. ‘The opinions of the media and social networks don’t bother me. If she or he is indeed a man, it would make my victory even more significant.’
