Algerian boxer Imane Khelif pushed through the noise of hysteria and controversy not of her choosing in the last week. The now-debunked issue surrounding who she is as a boxer and as a woman almost overshadowed her Olympic dream, even has she fought to a chance at the podium
As she entered the ring at Stade Roland Garros to face Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng on Tuesday, the static of the last week was drowned out by electric cheers. The hopes of steadfast Algerian fans who have flocked to see her in growing numbers blended with the cheers of Thai fans representing a country that reveres combat sports.
Khelif rode an energy fitting for a professional title bout in Las Vegas to an inspired, dominant unanimous decision over Suwannapheng. She won a place in the 66-kilogram gold medal bout against two-time world champion Yang Liu of China on Friday.
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The Algerian opened with her calling card, a long left jab forcing another fighter who likes to go on offense to hesitate. Unlike her win over Hungary’s Anna Luca Hámori Saturday, Khelif pressed early with accurate combinations off the jab that kept one of Asia’s top fighters in the weight class off balance.
Solid punches by Khelif forced Suwannapheng into retreat in the first round. She was pummeled by scoring shots while trying to force the action in the second round including a harsh left by the Algerian that stunned the Thai boxer with 19 seconds left in the round.
The domination was complete with an exclamation point in Round 3. With 30 seconds left, Swannapheng was caught in a barrage of punches by Khelif that forced a standing eight count. The fight would continue to the final bell, but the result was sealed.
As she awaited the official decision, Khelif showed the stoic reserve much of the world has come to know in the last week. “Why is this happening now I don’t care,” she said to SNTV Monday. “What’s important is that I came here focused my goal, which is the Olympics.”
After the decision was announced, Khelif broke into a wide smile and an impromptu happy dance. The moment was a celebration and a release from the headline nightmare since last Thursday, the accusations about her gender and the disjointed press conference from the discredited International Boxing Assn.
Imane Khelif finally got to experience a piece of the Olympic dream that brought her to Paris to start with, and earned a chance to make that dream a golden one.
