Imane Kherif is moving forward, and one of the Paris Olympics’ biggest controversies isn’t likely to go away anytime soon.
Kherif, the Algerian boxer whose gender eligibility dispute has been a source of controversy among the International Olympic Committee, the International Boxing Association and all people with opinions, defeated Hungary’s Anna-Luka Hamori by unanimous decision in the welterweight quarterfinals on Saturday.
Khelif secured an Olympic medal with a 5-0 decision. In boxing, athletes who lose in the semi-finals are awarded two bronze medals because they do not have enough time to recover before the third-place match.
The two boxers shook hands in a final show of respect.
According to the IOC database, Kheriff was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships “due to his high testosterone levels and not meeting the eligibility criteria.”
An IOC spokesman previously said Khelif could compete in the Olympics because her passport must state she is female.
The Russia-controlled IBA sanctions the world championships and uses different standards.
2024 Paris Olympics
Italy’s Angela Carini was forced out of the round of 16 after a powerful punch from Kheriff forced her to retire just 46 seconds into the qualifying round.
Mr Kalini, who could receive a $50,000 prize from the IBA, later apologised to Mr Kheriff for causing the controversy.
Hamori, the first Hungarian boxer to compete in the Olympics, was unfazed before the match.
“I’m not scared,” Hamoli told reporters. “I don’t care about the press reports or social media. If the candidate was a man, it would be a bigger victory for me if I won.”
But it is Kheriff who is winning thanks to an effective jab over nine minutes.
