Imane Khelif beat China’s Yang Liu by unanimous decision to win the Olympic welterweight final at Roland Garros in Paris.
The Algerian had been at the centre of furious row over her eligibility to compete in these Games. It has put her under her under tremendous pressure and scrutiny throughout the competition under the glare of a global media spotlight.
Despite that, she built a commanding lead over the first two rounds of her 66kg final with China’s Yang to win the gold medal by unanimous decision.
Khelif rapid victory over Italy’s Angela Carini generated a storm of controversy
Khelif and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu-ting both meet the IOC’s eligibility criteria though they were both disqualified from the World Championships in 2023 with the International Boxing Association (IBA) ruling them out of boxing in women’s categories.
However the nature of that eligibility test remains unspecified and the IBA has a host of questions around its own credibility that remain unanswered.
The body was banned from running the Olympic boxing tournament due to the IOC’s ongoing concerns around alleged corruption, bout manipulation and financial transparency. That has provoked a ferociously hostile response, notably from Umar Kremlev, the Russian who is the IBA’s controversial president.
Khelif had been subjected to vicious abuse, particularly on social media, that moved the IOC to condemn the torrent of threats and attacks. The boxer herself has publicly called for the bullying to end, warning: “it can destroy people”.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Imane Khelif has called for an end to online abuse
But in action in the arena, Khelif was heralded. An electric crowd packed out Roland Garros, with a heaving contingent of Algerian supporters waving their national flags.
Khelif won every round for all five judges, so clear did they see her victory, and she was carried round the arena floor on her coaches shoulders as she and thousands of her supporters celebrated.
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app – giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost.