Imane Khelif can now call herself a gold medalist … as she just defeated China’s Yang Liu in the women’s welterweight final at the Olympics — the first-ever top finish for an Algerian boxer.
Khelif defeated Liu just minutes ago — dominating the entire three-round contest and ending what was been a controversial Olympic run.
The 25-year-old boxer has become one of the most polarizing figures of the Paris Games.
This controversy began when the International Boxing Association declared her ineligible for the 2023 championships after unspecified tests showed she had XY chromosomes.
Her Olympics kicked off with her opening round opponent — Angela Carini — bowing out after 46 seconds … saying she had never been hit with such a powerful punch.
“My face and nose were hurting,” Carini said, according to the Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport. “I couldn’t breathe anymore. I thought about my family, I looked at my brother in the stands and I went to my corner to retire.”
Anna Luca Hamori — Khelif’s quarterfinal matchup — only fueled the fire when she posted a picture of Imane as the devil on her Instagram story. She would go on to defeat Hamori by unanimous decision.
She also took time to address the hate that has been sent her way during these games … saying bullying can destroy people.
Khelif previously said she hoped her loved ones weren’t too affected by all the outrage surrounding her … and hoped winning the gold would make it all worth it — and she did just that.
Imane Khelif’s victory at the Olympics marks a historic moment for Algerian boxing. Defeating China’s Yang Liu in the women’s welterweight final, she secured the gold medal and solidified her place in the history books. The 25-year-old boxer’s journey to this victory has been met with controversy and challenges, but her resilience and determination have shone through.The controversy surrounding Khelif began when she was declared ineligible for the 2023 championships due to unspecified tests revealing XY chromosomes. Despite facing criticism and discrimination, she remained focused on her goal and let her boxing skills do the talking in the ring. Her powerful punches forced her opening round opponent, Angela Carini, to retire after just 46 seconds, citing the intensity of the blows.In the quarterfinals, Khelif faced off against Anna Luca Hamori, who took to social media to paint her as the devil. Despite the negativity and hate directed towards her, Khelif remained composed and focused on her performance. She delivered a convincing win over Hamori, silencing her critics and proving that talent and hard work speak louder than words.Throughout the Paris Games, Khelif has been a polarizing figure, with both supporters and detractors voicing their opinions. Despite the challenges she has faced, she has remained steadfast in her pursuit of success and has emerged as a role model for aspiring boxers.As we celebrate Imane Khelif’s historic victory, let us also reflect on the power of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. Her journey to the gold medal serves as a reminder that with hard work, dedication, and self-belief, anything is possible. Join us in applauding Khelif’s remarkable achievement and stay tuned for more inspiring stories from the world of sports.
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Source: CNN
