- Imane Khelif triumphed over Janjaem Suwannapheng to earn her spot in the Olympic final.
- The 25-year-old boxer from Algeria clinched the victory through a unanimous decision.
- Khelif is assured a medal at the summer 2024 Olympics.
In a contentious atmosphere, boxer Imane Khelif is just one match away from claiming Olympic gold.
The Algerian pugilist, surrounded by controversy throughout the Games, emerged victorious against Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng, delivering a commanding performance in a semi-final at Roland Garros.
At 25, Khelif was previously barred from competing in last year’s World Championships by the IBA, a Russian-led organization, after failing a gender test just before her intended gold medal bout.
The IBA reported that she tested positive for having the male ‘XY’ chromosome.
However, no gender tests have been conducted at the Olympics, and eligibility hinges on the sex registered in a participant’s passport.
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif beat Janjaem Suwannapheng on points to secure a place in the Olympic final and guarantee herself a medal at the 2024 Games in Paris
The 25-year-old Algerian boxer won the bout (pictured above) via unanimous decision
Khelif, who had a two-inch height advantage, was enthusiastically supported by a spirited Algerian crowd. She has now claimed victory in 12 consecutive matches and will return to the iconic venue, which has replaced the North Paris Arena for the final stages of boxing, on Friday night.
She dominated the match, delivering powerful blows that led to a unanimous victory, further intensifying the debate about her participation.
This situation is likely to continue troubling IOC officials, who have had to defend Khelif’s eligibility in Paris almost daily.
Another boxer facing scrutiny for failing a gender test, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting, will compete in her semi-final tonight (WED) against Turkey’s Esra Yildiz Kahraman.
