Algerian boxer Imane Khelif advances to gold medal match amid gender row | Paris Olympics 2024 Information

NEW DELHI: Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer on the middle of a major gender controversy through the Paris Olympics, emerged victorious in her semi-final bout on Tuesday. Competing within the ladies’s 66kg class, Khelif secured not less than a silver medal after defeating Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng, the 2023 world silver medallist, by a unanimous factors resolution.
The match happened in entrance of an enthusiastic crowd at Roland Garros, who passionately chanted Khelif’s identify all through the competition.
In a separate weight class, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, one other boxer concerned within the eligibility controversy, can be assured of successful not less than a bronze medal. Each Khelif, 25, and Lin participated within the Tokyo Olympics three years prior with none controversy and didn’t safe medals at the moment.

The 2 boxers confronted disqualification from the world championships final 12 months after failing to satisfy gender eligibility necessities. Nonetheless, they have been subsequently cleared to take part within the Paris Olympics.
“I’m specializing in the competitors and different issues will not be necessary. The necessary factor is that I’m within the ultimate now,” Khelif advised BeIN Sports activities.
“I’m very happy with this new achievement. I gave every part I had. We labored as a staff for years and the dream has change into a actuality. I hope to focus and be as much as the accountability within the dream ultimate.”
Khelif, the Algerian boxer, obtained a thunderous ovation as she stepped into the world at Roland Garros, which is usually recognized for internet hosting Grand Slam tennis tournaments.

The venue was filled with a substantial variety of Algerian followers waving flags and chanting “Imane, Imane” all through the bout.
Khelif’s opponent, the Thai boxer Janjaem, who was visibly shorter, took a standing rely within the third spherical after feeling the total power of the Algerian’s superior expertise.
Regardless of the extraordinary ambiance, the 2 fighters confirmed nice sportsmanship on the finish of the battle, warmly greeting one another and shaking palms.
Khelif celebrated her victory with a dance within the middle of the ring, eliciting much more cheers from the group.

She is going to face Yang Liu for the gold medal, after the Chinese language boxer defeated Taiwan’s Chen Nien-chin on factors within the different semi-final.
The gender controversy surrounding Khelif and one other boxer, Lin, started when Khelif defeated Angela Carini in simply 46 seconds throughout her opening bout. Carini, who suffered a extreme nostril harm, was lowered to tears and compelled to desert the battle. The 2023 world championships, from which each Khelif and Lin have been expelled, have been organized by the Worldwide Boxing Affiliation (IBA). Nonetheless, resulting from issues over the IBA’s monetary, governance, and moral practices, the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken cost of the game on the Olympic Video games.

IBA president Umar Kremlev, who has ties to the Kremlin, made a controversial declare throughout a chaotic press convention, stating that each fighters had undergone “genetic testing that exhibits that these are males.”
The IOC has strongly defended Khelif and Lin, with president Thomas Bach emphasizing that they have been born and raised as ladies and maintain passports reflecting their gender.