Imane Khelif, a 26-year-old Algerian female boxer who faced allegations of having an XY chromosome, has made it to the finals of the Paris Olympics.
On the 7th, Khelif secured a unanimous 5-0 win against Janjaem Suwannapeng from Thailand in the women’s boxing 66 kg semifinals at Roland Garros in Paris.
Throughout the match, Khelif showcased overwhelming strength and skill, winning by a significant score margin (30-27, 30-26, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Previously, Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting were both implicated in the XY chromosome controversy.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) declared that Khelif and Lin were disqualified from the World Championships last year, claiming they had the XY chromosomes, which are typically seen in men.
However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) found no evidence to support the claims and decided that eligibility would be determined based on passport criteria, allowing both athletes to compete in the Olympics.
After her defeat, Suwannapeng acknowledged, “I had heard about the news regarding her, but I wasn’t following it closely.”
“She is a woman, but she is very strong. I tried to use my speed, but my opponent was just too strong.”
Khelif will compete for the gold medal in the finals scheduled for Friday at 4:51 p.m. EDT.
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