Algerian boxer Imane Khelif sobbed after her victory against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in the 66kg category at the Olympics guaranteed her a medal.
Khelif is one of two boxers competing in Paris despite being banned from last year’s World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after allegedly failing gender eligibility tests – a storm that has sparked controversy.
Khelif was cleared to fight with IOC president Thomas Bach defending her inclusion.
She had earned her spot in the quarter-finals after her previous opponent Angela Carini abandoned their fight after just 46 seconds. Italian Carini later revealed she had never been hit harder and dropped out to ‘preserve her life’.
On her return to the ring, Khelif was given the backing of a raucous crowd and after earning a dominant victory, she sobbed as she embraced her team.
Hamori embraced Khelif in a warm moment between both competitors.
Ahead of the bout, Hamori stated she was not fazed by the prospect of facing Khelif.
The fighter, however, provoked anger on social media after re-posting a controversial image shared across online platforms labelling Khelif a man.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
