Imane Khelif breaks silence with three-word social media message after controversial Olympics boxing victory over Angela Carini
Imane Khelif’s victory against Angela Carini in the women’s boxing has caused controversy at the Olympic Games.
Carini withdrew 46 seconds into the bout against Khelif after deciding she could not longer continue after being hit with two punches.
The controversy stems from Khelif previously failing a gender eligibility test meaning she was disqualified from last year’s World Championships.
She was cleared to compete in the 2024 Games earlier this month as well as Taiwan competitor Lin Yu-ting as it was administered by a different body to the World Championships.
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Last year's competition in India was organised by the International Boxing Association (IBA), which is no longer a federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
After her controversial win, the Algerian broke her social media silence with a message to her fans.
She wrote on her official Instagram account: “Elhamdolilah. First Victory.”
The 25-year-old will face Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori after she defeated Australian star Marissa Williamson via split decision.
Their bout will take place on Saturday 3 August at 4:22pm.
Khelif dodged the media after she exited the arena following her controversial win against Carini.
Speaking after withdrawing from Thursday's fight, Carini explained why she had pulled out of the bout after initially agreeing to fight.
"I have always honoured my country with loyalty," she said. "This time I didn't succeed because I couldn't fight anymore.
"I put an end to the match because after the second blow, after years of experience in the ring and a life of fighting, I felt a strong pain in my nose.
"I said 'that's enough' because... I could not bring the match to an end. So I thought, maybe it's better to put an end to the match."
British boxing expert Steve Bunce revealed fighters’ opinions on Khelif’s participation in the games, claiming not all female fighters are opposed to her inclusion.
He told the BBC: “I think it has hurt Olympic boxing at a crucial time where its future is still being discussed. It's an absolute disaster.
“What's interesting is in the build up to the fight, some of her old opponents, good fighters, world champions and European champions, have said [Khelif] is not a cheat.
"She's not a devastating puncher, that is only her fifth stoppage.
“Carini, I feel for her absolutely, but you have to feel a little bit for Khelif, she's stuck in the middle of something here that's absolutely devastating and it's not over yet.”
Marcus Banks