An emotional Imane Khelif comfortably defeated Hungary’s Luca Anna to advance to the welterweight semifinals, ensuring a podium finish amidst the ongoing controversy.
Gender Controversy:Algeria’s Imane Khelif overcame the criticism directed at her to defeat Hungary’s Luca Anna Hamori by unanimous decision in the welterweight quarterfinals at the Paris Games, securing Algeria’s first Olympic boxing medal since 2000.
Khelif, a silver medalist at the 2022 World Championships, and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting have been at the center of a gender dispute that has dominated headlines and sparked much discussion on social media platforms.
Khelif will face Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand in Tuesday’s semifinals. Khelif previously defeated Suwannapheng at the 2023 World Championships before being disqualified.
“It is hard; she has suffered a lot. As a child and now as a champion, she has endured so much during these games,” said Khelif’s coach, Mohamed Chaoua.
