Imane Khelif wins boxing quarterfinal bout as Olympics gender controversy continues

Imane Khelif, the controversial Algerian boxer, beat Hungarian boxer Anna Luca Hamori in a unanimous decision Saturday in the women’s welterweight quarterfinal match, and is now assured of an Olympic medal.

The controversy is because Khelif is considered eligible to participate in the Olympics as their standard for qualification is based on how that person is identified in their passport. Khelif is identified there as a female.

But Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 world championships “after her elevated levels of testosterone failed to meet the eligibility criteria,” according to the New York Post. The Russia-controlled International Boxing Association runs the world championships and uses a different standard.

The controversy went viral when Khelif’s powerful punches caused Italy’s Angela Carini to quit just 46 seconds into their round-of-16 match earlier in the week.