IMANE EVENT Gender row boxer Imane Khelif WINS Olympics 2024 semi-final and set to fight for historic gold medal
IMANE KHELIF will fight for Olympic gold after another dominant win in the ring.
The Algerian, 25, blocked out the outside vitriol of the gender row to keep full focus on her task at hand.
After calling for an end to the “bullying”, she mercilessly dispatched Janjaem Suwannapheng, 23, to reach Friday’s final.
The IBA claim two blood tests allegedly showed Khelif has XY chromosomes and therefore failed to meet their gender eligibility, booting her out of last year’s World Championships.
But the IOC discredit the Russian-backed IBA and are happy with the female status on the pᴀssport of Khelif, and Lin Yu-ting, giving them the green light to compete at Paris 2024.
And Khelif has taken full advantage, winning her first two bouts with ease before breezing past Thailand’s No5 seed Suwannapheng, celebrating with a finger wag and then a joyful jig inside the ropes.
It was a new location under the roof of tennis’ Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland Garros but Khelif received the same vociferous welcome with dozens of Algerian flags all around the impressive 15,000-seater arena.
Chants of her name started between and even during the bouts earlier on the card and amplified to ear-splitting volumes for her ring walk, while Suwannapheng got a mix of boos and applause.
In the opening round, towering Khelif had it all her own way and got the favour of all five judges, even after putting her opponent in a headlock.
The second was more of the same, again taking it 5-0, as every punch that landed from her blue gloves got met by a deafening cheer.
Khelif tried to wrap it up in style and the referee stepped in to give Suwannapheng a count with 20 seconds to go.
But although she survived to the final bell, Suwannapheng, Khelif and all the fans knew the Algerian had won – and it was soon confirmed by unanimous decision.
Afterwards Khelif said: “She was very good but I trained for two weeks and watched videos of how she fights.
“I am one step from gold. Thank you to all the people who have stood by me especially the people of Algeria.”
The boxer added: “I don’t care what anyone is saying about me with the controversy.
“All that is important to me is that I stay on the level and give my people the performance they deserve.
“I know I’m a talented person and this is a gift to all Algerians.”
This famous stadium has seen its fair share of dominant wins from Rafael Nadal – but this was right up there.
Another performance like that on Friday and Khelif will be an Olympic champion.
