Khelif continues dominance and reaches final amid gender speculations

Boxer Imane Khelif is set to fight for Olympic gold on Friday after overcoming controversy surrounding her eligibility to decisively win her semi-final against Janjaem Suwannapheng in Paris.

BREAKING: Imane Khelif will fight for GOLD! 🇩🇿

She won her 66kg bout against Janjaem Suwannapheng from Thailand to reach the Olympics final.#ImaneKhelif pic.twitter.com/wEPo5tFu3q

— DW Sports (@dw_sports) August 6, 2024

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Khelif, the Algerian welterweight, was disqualified from last year’s World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) for failing gender eligibility tests, but she is competing in Paris amid significant public and media attention.

With enthusiastic support in the repurposed Court Philippe Chatrier, Khelif dominated her Thai opponent, winning by unanimous decision. This victory propels her to her first Olympic final, following a quarter-final exit in Tokyo three years ago. Khelif will face Liu Yang of China in the gold-medal match, aiming to become Algeria’s first boxing gold medallist.

“I am focused,” the 25-year-old stated. “I am here for a good performance and my dream. I will give everything I have for the final.”