Imane Khelif won Olympic gold on Friday night, beating Yang Liu on points in the welterweight final at Paris 2024.
Khelif’s Olympic campaign has proven highly controversial, with the Algerian having allegedly failed a gender eligibility test in 2023 due to the presence of certain chromosomes. That test result led to Khelif’s disqualification from the World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA).
The IBA previously ran Olympic boxing but was dropped by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) before the Tokyo Games. The IOC no longer recognises the IBA as a governing body due to concerns over the organisation’s finances and ties to Russia, and due to fears of corruption.
In Paris, Khelif found herself under intense scrutiny after her first fight, as Angela Carini withdrew after just 46 seconds. The Italian, who received one significant punch from Khelif, retired from the bout in tears and said she had “never been hit so hard” in her life. Carini later apologised, while Khelif went on to ease past Luca Anna Hamori and Janjaem Suwannapheng via unanimous decision.
And on Friday, the 25-year-old was a victor via decision again, this time against China’s Yang to claim gold.
Also in Paris, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting will box for gold while part of the same gender row as Khelif, having also been DQed at the 2023 World Championships.
Re-live Friday’s action and see all results below:
Imane Khelif beats Yang Liu to win Olympic boxing gold in Paris
Alex Pattle9 August 2024 23:00
Imane Khelif beats Yang Liu to win Olympic boxing gold in Paris
“Imane, Imane, Imane,” cried the fans. Thousands of them, from generations past in Paris, provided the hostile setting for poor Yang Liu. Khelif, who has been in the eye of a storm following a gender test row at the Olympics, proved too slick, too powerful, and repelled the Chinese boxer’s southpaw stance with her punishing right hands.
A redemption of sorts, although this issue will linger long after the dust settles on this women’s welterweight gold-medal fight.
Jack Rathborn in Paris9 August 2024 22:50
Imane Khelif beats Yang Liu to win Olympic boxing gold in Paris
There are tears in Khelif’s eyes as she sings the Algerian national anthem, clutching the badge on her tracksuit all the while.
She then hangs her medal from its ribbon, raised above her head, and kisses the gold.
Alex Pattle9 August 2024 22:45
Imane Khelif beats Yang Liu to win Olympic boxing gold in Paris
Khelif and Yang should be collecting their medals any moment now, along with bronze medalists Janjaem Suwannapheng and Nien Chin Chen.
Alex Pattle9 August 2024 22:32
Imane Khelif beats Yang Liu to win Olympic boxing gold in Paris
We have a couple more medal ceremonies now, with the heavyweights up first.
Uzbekistan’s Mullojonov collects the gold, and Alfonso the silver for Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, it’s bronze for Davlat Boltaev of Tajikistan and Enmanuel Reyes of Spain.
Tears of joy for Mullojonov!
Alex Pattle9 August 2024 22:27
Imane Khelif beats Yang Liu to win Olympic boxing gold in Paris
Alex Pattle9 August 2024 22:23
Imane Khelif beats Yang Liu to win Olympic boxing gold in Paris
Imane Khelif gets it done via unanimous decision, as Yang Liu takes silver for China.
Khelif, now an Olympic gold medalist, is hoisted onto her coach’s shoulders and paraded around – in front of ecstatic Algerian fans!
Khelif’s nation’s flag is wrapped around her shoulders.
Alex Pattle9 August 2024 22:17
Imane Khelif beats Yang Liu to win Olympic boxing gold in Paris
Alex Pattle9 August 2024 22:14
Imane Khelif fights Yang Liu for Olympic boxing gold in Paris
The second round also goes Khelif’s way! A healthy lead for her, and the final round is upon us…
Yang backs up the Algerian. Grazing shots are landing for both fighters. Nice jab by Yang.
Yang corners Khelif, but the Algerian circles away smartly. Intermittent punches are landing for both boxers.
A scrappy entry from Yang, and the welterweights clinch briefly. They’re separated, and Yang lands a swift jab.
Khelif drops her hands low in the final few seconds… There’s the final bell!
Surely gold for Khelif! We’ll know in a moment…
Alex Pattle9 August 2024 22:13
Imane Khelif fights Yang Liu for Olympic boxing gold in Paris
Every judge has the first round 10-9 in Khelif’s favour. Second round now.
Khelif steps in with a good left straight, then catches Yang with a right as the Chinese fighter tries to circle away. Good work.
Both boxers land simultaneously now. Yang is trying to stay on the front foot. Khelif slings a cross at the body.
Yang is walking onto counter punches here and there. Decent jab by Khelif now. A bit of grappling creeps into the contest.
Now it’s Yang with a counter shot! A solid left hand in close. A scrappy exchange ensues.
Alex Pattle9 August 2024 22:08