Angela Carini Faces Online Abuse After Boxing Defeat

Italian boxer Angela Carini has reported experiencing online harassment following her controversial loss to Algeria’s Iman Kerif during the Paris Games last summer. The match ended abruptly, just 46 seconds in, and viewers were left shocked by the powerful punches Kerif landed on Carini. Notably, Kerif had previously been barred from competing in another event due to issues surrounding her gender eligibility, yet she still managed to take home the gold.

This incident ignited a worldwide response, with many advocates calling for the protection of women’s sports. After the fight, Carini expressed her distress to reporters, highlighting the emotional impact of Kerif’s punches.

Recently, Carini took to Instagram to share screenshots of the abusive messages she received online. Some comments urged her not to return to the Olympics, while others were derogatory, labeling her as “the shame of the Italian team.” In her video, the 26-year-old reflected on the difficulty of facing such words daily. “Did I have to endure this in silence? For them, it’s just a sentence, just a word. But for me, it feels so much heavier,” she said.

The aftermath of her decision to stop the fight has sparked intense discussions, catching the attention of figures like Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Carini stated that the experience has “destroyed” her career, expressing in her video how challenging it has been to move on from it all. “For many, forgetting the past is easy, but it hasn’t been for me. It’s a painful reminder every day,” she conveyed, emphasizing the toll it has taken on her dedication to the sport.

Carini eventually returned to the ring in December and secured an eighth Italian title alongside a gold medal at the Poland World Boxing Cup. “Despite all the disappointments, I went back, reaffirming myself as the Italian champion. It was a tough challenge to return,” she said.

“While my words may not change everything, I hope they encourage reflection,” Carini added. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has backed the decisions made during the Paris Games, claiming that both Kerif and another boxer were victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision regarding gender eligibility. Kerif has also publicly denied being transgender.

International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlev has called for Kerif’s Olympic medals to be revoked to establish “transparency.” This comes after Kerif faced disqualification from the IBA for not passing gender eligibility tests, with Kremlev claiming that undisclosed DNA test results indicated Kerif had an XY chromosome.

In response to the ongoing concerns, the IBA announced new policies in August that require mandatory sexual testing for competitors in women’s categories. Kerif continues to appeal against these regulations that prevent her from participating in competitions until genetic test results are disclosed.

Earlier this month, Trump was questioned about potential genetic testing for upcoming Olympics, referencing the need for a robust testing method. The new IOC President, Kirsty Coventry, has also established a task force to address gender eligibility matters.