Imane Khelif in tears as she secures Olympic medal with dominant victory

The Algerian, whose participation in Paris has been met with controversy after she was disqualified from the Women’s World Championships last year for failing International Boxing Association (IBA) gender eligibility rules, impressed in her quarter final against Hamori on Saturday afternoon as she convincingly won all three rounds.

Khelif, who was docked a point during the final round for holding by the referee despite not receiving a prior warning, was overcome with emotion after her hand was raised in victory.

Hamori shook hands with her opponent and the Hungarian had no complaints as the pair shared a smile and a few words after the final bell.

As she left the ring, Khelif began to tear up as she was hugged by her two coaches.

‘The corner got the tactics spot on, she implemented them to a T, working principly behind the most fundamental punch in the boxing coaching manual – the lead left hand. Controlling the distance, controlling the tempo of the contest.

‘And she is overcome with tears of joy. One of the most talked-about athletes of these entire Games has kept her focus on the task at hand and that is performing beneath the ring ligts in the roped squad of the Olympic ring.

‘From opening bell to last, a very good display indeed from Imane Khelif.’

After taking a heavy right hand in the opening exchanges, Carini decided to abandon the fight with just 46 seconds on the clock.

Carini, who complained to her coach that the fight was ‘not fair’, was in tears in the ring and opted not to shake Khelif’s hand – a decision which she has since apologised for.

‘All this controversy makes me sad,’ Carini told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

‘I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.’

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