PARIS Algerian boxer [autotag]Imane Khelif[/autotag], targeted in a gender eligibility controversy at these Games, etched her name into Olympic history Friday night.
Shes now a gold medalist.
Khelif, 25, beat Chinas Yang Liu in the womens welterweight finals at Roland-Garros Stadium, capping a turbulent experience at the Olympics.
“Im very happy. For eight years, this has been my dream and Im now the Olympic champion and gold medallist,” Khelif said. “Ive worked for eight years, no sleep, eight years tired. Now Im Olympic champion.
“I want to thank all the people who have come to support me. All the people from Algeria and all the people at my base. I want to thank all the team, my coach. Thank you so much.”
Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting have been subjected to abuse on social media and inaccurate media speculation about their sexes even though the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said they both have met all criteria and that theres no question they are women.
The Russian-backed International Boxing Association brought the issue to the surface last week. The IBA, which is not recognized by the IOC and has no role in Olympic boxing, stripped Lin (gold) and Khelif (bronze) of their 2023 World Championship medals after the organization claimed they failed gender eligibility tests. The IOC and others have raised concerns about the veracity of those tests.
While the issue raged, the two boxers continued to excel in the ring.
Khelif won all four of her bouts at the Olympics.
Lin, 28, fights for gold Saturday against Polands Julia Szeremeta in womens featherweight (126 pounds) division. Lin has won all three of her bouts on points by unanimious decision.
Khelif, 25, won her opening bout when Italys Angela Carini quit 46 seconds into the match in the round of 16. She won on points by unanimous decision in the quarterfinals against Hungarys Anna Luca Hamori and in the semifinals against Thailands Janjaem Suwannapheng.
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This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Boxer Imane Khelif wins gold medal: Algerian earns Olympic gold after controversy