PARIS – Imane Khelif, the boxer at the center of a gender controversy, triumphed over Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng by unanimous decision in the welterweight semi-finals at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, securing her place in the women’s final at Roland Garros.
Khelif, a silver medalist at the 2022 World Championships, along with Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, has been in the spotlight due to ongoing discussions surrounding their eligibility to compete. Both Khelif and Lin were disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) from the 2023 World Championships in New Delhi after a controversial press conference revealed that sex chromosome testing deemed them ineligible.
Interestingly, during those championships, Khelif had defeated Janjaem by unanimous decision in the semi-finals before her disqualification, with Janjaem later competing in the final and taking home the silver medal.
Under a new arrangement, Khelif and Lin are participating in the Olympics due to the IOC’s decision to take over the organization of boxing events in Paris after stripping the IBA of its governing status in 2023. The IOC has dismissed the IBA’s tests as arbitrary and illegitimate, noting that there was no justification for conducting them.
At this year’s Olympics, the IOC is applying boxing eligibility rules utilized during the 2016 and 2021 Games, which do not include gender testing.
A Supportive Crowd
Algerian fans filled the repurposed Court Philippe Chatrier, which was stripped of its iconic red clay, eagerly cheering for Khelif with chants of “Imane, Imane, Imane,” while booing Janjaem as she entered the ring.
The first round was cautious, with both boxers keeping their distance and only engaging sparingly, but Khelif effectively utilized her jab to gain an advantage. Janjaem connected with a strong right hand in the second round, but Khelif’s technique allowed her to continue landing punches and secure favorable scores from the judges.
In the final round, Khelif unleashed her full potential, aggressively targeting Janjaem with powerful shots to claim the victory by unanimous decision.
After the match, both boxers touched gloves as a sign of respect. When Khelif was announced as the winner, a deafening cheer erupted from the fans in attendance. She celebrated with a jog in place and a big smile before heading to the doctor’s station for a quick medical check-up.
Looking Ahead
Khelif will face China’s Yang Liu, 32, in the final on Friday. Meanwhile, Lin Yu-ting also reached the semi-finals in the featherweight category, where she will compete against Turkey’s Esra Yildiz on Wednesday.
The controversy surrounding Khelif and Lin intensified when Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew from her round-of-16 bout against Khelif after just 46 seconds, citing severe pain and safety concerns following a series of punches.
After the incident, Carini expressed regret over her withdrawal and clarified that she bore no ill will toward Khelif. The discourse around this issue has seen notable figures, including J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk, share their views on social media regarding the participation of Khelif and Lin in the Games.
Credit: Bangkok Post
