Imane Khelif has issued a defiant message to her rivals at the Paris 2024 Olympics after forcing her opponent to quit just 46 seconds into their fight.
The 25-year-old is competing in the women’s 66kg competition and made it through to the quarter-finals following her victory against Italy’s Angela Carini.
The bout was shrouded in controversy, however, as it emerged Carini decided to quit claiming “it’s not right” to her corner after Khelif was cleared to compete at the Games.
Khelif was cleared to compete in the women’s boxing category despite being disqualified from last year’s Women’s World Championships before her gold medal bout, after failing to meet the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) eligibility criteria.
It was revealed she had failed testosterone and gender eligibility tests, but Khelif was allowed to participate in the women’s category and launched into a barrage of punches early on. Carini, whose headgear came unattached, decided to stop the fight on her own terms.
When Khelif was announced as the winner, Carini refused to shake her hand and the Italia could be seen crying in the ring before leaving.
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