By Matt Bozeat
THE crowd at the Paris Nord Arena cheered controversial Imane Khelif from the ring after she secured an Olympic medal with a unanimous points win over Hungary’s Luca Anna Hamori today.
The Hungarian Boxing Federation had objected to the Algerian’s inclusion in the tournament after she was disqualified from last year’s Women’s World Championship after failing eligibility criteria.
Balazs Furjes, the IOC’s spokesman from Hungary, afterwards said that withdrawing from the welterweight quarter final was “never an option.”
He added: “The Paris boxing competitions have their consequences, the consequences must be evaluated after the Paris games.
“We are 100 % convinced the IOC will make the right decisions.”
Khelif rushed past waiting reporters after setting up a semi final against Janjaem Suwannapheng, who ground out a 3-2 win over No 1 seed Busenaz Surmeneli (Turkey).
Flanked by two coaches, Khelif walked past with her head bowed, possibly sobbing.
Hamori had applauded her after the decision was announced and congratulated her.
Khelif sank to her knees in celebration before being cheered from the ring.
Khelif had noisy support from one end of the Paris Nord Arena and they were soon cheering as she found the range with her jab.
She seldom pulled the trigger on the right hand that left Angela Carini shattered in 46 seconds in the last 16.
The referee actually warned her for slapping with her right hand in the last.
Khelif was also docked a point in the final three minutes after both fighters twice ended up on the canvas.
It made no difference. Khelif won the opening two rounds on all five cards with her jab, a quality, accurate punch from the opening seconds.
She boxed around the centre of the ring, landing the punch cleanly.
