Algerian boxer Imane Khelif advanced to the women’s 66kg quarterfinals after her opponent, Italian boxer Angela Carini, forfeited just 46 minutes into the match. Carini stated that she decided to take the loss after being punched harder than she had ever been in her career. Khelif has faced controversy in the past after being banned from the IBA World Championships for failing to meet gender requirements due to previously being deemed to have XY chromosomes. Despite the controversy, Khelif now faces Anna Luca Hamori of Hungary in the quarterfinals, who is the first Hungarian to ever participate in boxing at the Olympics. Hamori has dismissed the controversy and is focused on winning.
Hamori expressed confidence in her abilities and stated that she is not worried about the press, social media, or the controversy surrounding Khelif. She emphasized that winning against Khelif, if she is indeed a man, would be a bigger victory for her. Hamori and Khelif have never sparred, but they have competed in the same tournament before. She is determined to stay focused on her quest for gold and not be distracted by outside noise. Hamori questioned Carini’s decision to withdraw from her fight, stating that she does not understand why a boxer would give up in a match and emphasized her own determination in never giving up in a fight.
After the fight, Carini was left in tears and questioned the fairness of the bout, stating that she did not give up but one punch hurt too much, leading her to say enough. The International Boxing Association had previously stated that Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting failed to meet gender eligibility standards in the 2023 worlds due to high levels of testosterone and having XY chromosomes. Despite these claims, the International Olympic Committee cleared Khelif to compete in the Summer Games and defended her in a statement, stating that Khelif and Lin were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA.
Khelif celebrated her win in the quarterfinals, while Carini expressed her disappointment at the outcome of the fight. Hamori expressed her own determination to never give up in a fight and questioned Carini’s decision to bow out. The controversy surrounding Khelif has not deterred her from competing in the Olympics, and she is focused on her upcoming match against Hamori. The International Boxing Association’s decision to disqualify Khelif and Lin without due process has been criticized, with the International Olympic Committee defending Khelif and stating that the two athletes were victims of an arbitrary decision.
Despite the challenges and controversy surrounding her, Khelif remains focused on her boxing career and is determined to continue competing at the highest level. Khelif has denied the claims that she has XY chromosomes and is focused on her upcoming matches. The Olympic Games continue, with athletes like Khelif and Hamori showcasing their skills and determination in the ring. The controversy surrounding Khelif’s eligibility has brought attention to gender requirements in sports and the challenges faced by transgender athletes in competing at the highest level.
