Defiant Imane Khelif dances after cruising into Olympics boxing final

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Imane Khelif danced in defiance as she swept into an Olympic women’s boxing final and declared “I don’t care” about the gender furore engulfing her.
The 25-year-old at the centre of the most toxic outcry at these Games destroyed her opponent in front of a raucous Arab-French support at Roland-Garros.
In a rarity for women’s boxing, battered Thai Janjaem Suwannapheng was given a standing count in the third round such was the ferocity of Khelif’s punching.
As victory was sealed, the Algerian lapped up the scenes with a ferocious war dance in the ring amid scenes of delirium among a crowd who chanted “Khelif, Khelif, Khelif”.
There were no post-fight tears this time after a week in which her main critics, the International Boxing Association, scrambled to repair damage to its own reputation.
“I don’t care what anyone is saying about me with the controversy,” said Khelif, wrapped in a Algerian flag but emotionless as she spoke to a pack of 100 journalists. “All that is important to me is that I stay on the level and give my people the performance they deserve. I know I’m a talented person and this is a gift to all Algerians.”
The toxic issue tearing apart the sport at these Games now moves on to Friday’s final, with Khelif facing China’s Yang Liu.
Suwannapheng had endured boos and whistles from the crowd before being easily overhauled. She had acknowledged uncertainties around Khelif’s gender ahead of the fight but there were no protests from her afterwards.
Khelif, meanwhile, looked more confident and at ease with the attention around her than she has throughout the last fortnight – buoyed by Arab support in Paris.
“It was the performance I was looking for and I was trying to let all the audience and fans who came today be happy,” she said. “The hall was full of people and I was happy to hear my fans and that’s what made me proud, and all Algerians must be proud. I hope I can also give a great performance in the final and let all the Arab countries be happy.”
Khelif was on the front foot from the start, comprehensively winning rounds one and two, leaving the significantly shorter Thai facing an impossible task in the third.
For what felt like the biggest event in town, the BBC instead opted to lead with highlights of other events amid calls from both Khelif and Games chiefs to show “restraint”.
For fair sport campaigners, this has been a saga with only losers as Khelif now closes in on gold despite allegedly failing two sex tests in 2022 and 2023.
All the semi-final bouts had been moved to Roland Garros’ magnificent Philippe-Chatrier arena, the equivalent to Wimbledon’s Centre Court. It was a far cry from the claustrophobic scenes of Sunday at the Paris Nord Arena, a venue better equipped for covered fruit markets. However, the cacophony of raucous support for the fighter in the eye of a storm was just as enthusiastic.
After easing through her quarter-final triumph over Hungarian Luca Anna Hamori, Khelif was overcome with emotion, crying uncontrollably and crying “I am a woman”. In the days since, the furore has only continued to boil, despite her calls for restraint.
“I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects,” Khelif told the sports broadcaster SNTV in Arabic in her only interview on Monday. “It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying.”
No restraint in the Moscow office of the International Boxing Association’s president, however, who within hours was calling Khelif and Lin Yu-ting “men”.
Hours before the bout, some clarity was restored as the IBA released its full correspondence with the IOC and encouraged the public to make its own minds up. One letter, which the IOC confirmed it received in June last year, deals strictly with the Khelif case, and urges the Games to do “what is necessary to ensure the safety of competing athletes”.
“This situation epitomises the importance of protecting both safe sport, and the integrity of sport which the Olympic Movement is committed to,” the IBA letter says. “We trust that you will give this matter the utmost attention it deserves, and you have our absolute support on doing what is necessary to ensure the safety of competing athletes.”
Imane Khelif advances to the women’s final by unanimous decision 🥊Another totally dominant performance 👏#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/AprUg0Ll4C
Imane Khelif is into the gold-medal bout, winning every round by every judge for the second straight contest. And so the maelstrom of these Paris Olympics keeps raging.
…for Imane Khelif. Just look and see.
Not much more to add on the fight really. Suwannapheng fought bravely but in truth she was several levels below her opponent this evening. Whatever you may think of Khelif’s participation in this Olympics, it’s hard to argue that she is not a talented fighter.
…no surprise. IMANE KHELIF WINS! The Algerian crowd go wild. Suwannapheng is gracious in defeat.
One-two combination from Khelif. She has not had to get out of second or third gear here…so far at least. Suwannapheng’s attack is fast and furious but the Algerian looks unflustered to say the least. 
Khelif giving the Sugar Ray Leonard-esque dance on the spot. Suwannapheng is then asked to get through a standing count after taking a heavy shot. 
There’s the bell. Whatever your thoughts, that was a clinic.
Suwannapheng knows she likely lost that round and is straight on the front foot but the size of Khelif is a real problem. Down low she can only really target the body with any venom and as yet  Kehlif has shown taking those shots to no problem whatsoever.
Tough to say Khelif has really gone for it in this fight yet but her work is tidy, neat and as yet seemingly enough to pick up points and through that rounds. 
Suwannapheng lands a nice combination, the Thai fighter knows she needs to go out and win this rather than rest on her laurels.
Cagey start here. Khelif is the larger of the fighters and thus it makes sense to see her attacking from distance. Suwannapheng does look confident though as she looks to get inside after getting Khelif to miss on a long jab. 
Khelif gets a warning for pulling Suwannapheng’s head down in the clinch. You feel the Algerian has another couple of gears to go to here, it just depends on when she decides to utilise them. 
Suwannapheng takes a heavy shot as she takes a risk in going after Khelif in the closing stages of that round.
 
…the bell sounds and we are underway.
…tough to make out any boos. If there were any they were certainly drowned out by cheers – loud cheers at that.
“Khelif, Khelif, Khelif,” chants ring out. French-Algerians once again show up in raucous scenes for Khelif, this time at Roland Garros. Hundreds waving flags dotted around the arena. No doubt which is the big ticket fight here.
Or at least that appears to be the case at this point. Discovery/Eurosport are carrying it of course.
…it’s Imane Khelif against Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng.
…Buse Naz Çakıroğlu is the clear winner. Wu Yu will have her hands full in the final with the impressive Turkish boxer.
..stretched away in this bout. His hand speed and footwork are clearly a cut above. Would be very surprised if this was anything less than a unanimous decision.
Decent first round between Çakıroğlu and Villegas in the second semi-final. The Turkish boxer has a wicked left hook which has caught the Phillipino out on a few occasions.
And it’s China’s Wu Yu who comes out on top. The third round brought that fight very close on the scorecards but that’s another example of the fine margins in amateur boxing.
Yu and Kyzaibay are into the final round of the first semi-final in the women’s flyweight and for me the Kazakh who looks to have been the more active throughout.
“It’s devastating, it’s raw. I’ve stepped out the ring moments ago so emotions are very high. Obviously disappointed to miss out on the final and box for a gold on Friday night.
“Initial disappointment but I hope to look back and be really proud of what I have achieved because I have created history within my city, Colchester. I’m the only British boxer to medal at these Games so hopefully I will look back with pride and happiness in the future.
“It’s hard to say at this moment [if the fight went to plan] I’ve just stepped out the ring, I’ll have to go back and analyse it but it was close, it was a 3-2 split decision.
“Two of the judges went for me, three went against me, every round was competitive and close and that’s amateur boxing. It’s just a flip of the coin sometimes and in this case it didn’t go my way.
“It’s been an amazing experience, I’m so grateful for everyone who has helped me along the way.
“It’s been an amazing journey, I have been boxing for 12, 13 years and the amount of people and support I have had throughout those years has been so influential in me achieving what I have achieved tonight, creating history for myself, my family and my city.
“Even talking now brings pride but I’m a winner and it obviously is disappointing not to be able to box for the gold on Friday.
“I don’t know [how hometown – Colchester – will react], we will soon find out next week! I need to sort of lick my wounds for the moment, go back to the village tonight and probably drown my sorrows. I’ve been dieting like crazy to make the weight. The weight is a challenge for me.
“Drown my sorrows and eat some cake and just look back and hopefully celebrate. Not dwell on the loss but celebrate the win because I have had two fantastic wins out here. Support from Great Britain has been amazing. I’m proud but also disappointed.”
Fair play – he’s taken that loss better than I did…
Lewis Richardson thought he’d done enough to win here. Did you? Mexico’s Marco Alonso Verde Alvarez got the 3-2 split-decision win 🥊#BBCOlympics #Olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/znj0AXoqbH
…we have two women’s flyweight semi-finals.
LEWIS RICHARDSON IS OUT!
Hmmmm not sure I agree with that. But hey, I’m not in the chair so who cares what I think. It’s bronze for Lewis Richardson. It will be interesting to see what he has to say after that.
Richardson awarded a 4-1 victory in that last round by the judges. Just three more minutes now. A gold-medal bout is in his grasp.
The Briton lands a nice combination, dancing in and out of range of the Mexican. Richardson lands another scoring shot, his work rate both in attack and defence has maintained well through this fight. 
This fight is on a knife edge heading into the final minute. The last few scoring shots here will be vital – which Richardson lands.
Surely Richardson has this…though you never know with Olympic boxing.
Verde’s all-out attacking style has Richardson doubting himself a touch you feel. That’s better though, as Richardson lands a lovely counter which snaps the head of Richardson back. A bit of swelling starting to show underneath Richardson’s left eye. 
Richardson is growing into this round. Verde looks like he’s running on empty touch, his shots look more ragged than in the opening round and a half. 
Tight round. That one’s anyone’s guess.
Two southpaws facing off here. Verde lands the more convincing early shot, including a neat short right hook which finds the mark on Richardson’s chin. The Mexican is on the front foot here, Richardson is not utilising his reach advantage to the best effect but does get a good left hand in over the top.
Wild from Verde, leading to a decent shot from the Briton. Verde hits back though as another right hand lands. Nice clash of styles…a traditional Mexican brawler against a more fluid counter-puncher. 
Verde’s round for me.
…Richardson vs Verde is underway.
It’s been a disappointing Olympics for GB boxing but the man from Colchester has the chance to make it one to remember. A spot to fight for the gold medal is on the line.
As you might have already read, tonight’s fights are being held on Court Phillipe Chatrier at Roland-Garros rather than the North Paris Arena. That was always the plan for the semi-finals and finals of the respective weight categories. 
…has come to an end. For my money that’s a win for Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev. Omari Jones is a real talent but he looked a little ragged through those three rounds. 
AND IT IS THE UZBEK BY SPLIT DECISION. He will face either Lewis Richardson or Marco Verde for the gold medal.
That fight follows next.
 
As already mentioned, the IBA press conference about Imane Khelif, held yesterday in Paris, was a sight and a sound for sore eyes. Heavily delayed, technically deficient and featuring at least one individual who arguably did more to undermine the credibility of the organisation than the very fact that the IOC has cut ties with it. 
Catch up with everything that happened HERE.
…here at Roland-Garros this evening. Lewis Richardson faces Mexico’s Marco Verde in the second semi-final in the men’s welterweight. 
The first semi-final, between Omari Jones of the USA and Uzbekistan’s Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev, is already underway.
The firestorm engulfing Imane Khelif at this Olympic Games has been relentless, exhausting, confusing and everything in between. So it gives me great pleasure to advise you all to saddle up because it’s about to kick into gear again. 
The Algerian faces Janjaem Suwannapheng in the semi-final of the women’s welterweight this evening as he closes in on what would be a second gold medal for her nation at these games. 
Some will say that is all this evening is about. Others vehemently disagree. Like it or not, it’s impossible to ignore the spectre of the failed gender eligibility test that has overshadowed her campaign.
Even after the organisation that administered that test, the IBA, undermined its credibility with a shambolic and rhetoric-fuelled press conference on Monday, controversy still swirls. 
Amid all of this, there are Olympic medals on the line and so it would feel remiss to not spend any time whatsoever on the fight itself. 
Khelif and Suwannapheng met in the same stage of the 2023 world championships, with the Algerian coming out on top before her disqualification for failing the aforementioned gender test. 
The winner will face either Taiwan’s Chen Nien-chin or China’s Yang Liu in Friday’s final, with both losers being awarded bronze medals, as is the way in the single-elimination tournament that is Olympic boxing. 
A Khelif victory, of any kind, will surely ramp up the rhetoric yet further and she is a heavy favourite – as short as ⅙ with some oddsmakers – to the gold medal.