'Gender Controversy' Female Boxer Kalip Advances to Finals... Going for Gold [Paris Olympics]

'XY Yeomsaekcho' Boxer Khalif Advances to Finals
Demonstrates Overwhelming Strength and Skill Throughout the Match

Imane Khalif (left).
Photo by Yonhap News

Imane Khelif (26, Algeria), who has been embroiled in a 'gender controversy' in women's boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has advanced to the final stage.

On the 7th (Korean time), Khelif won by a 5-0 decision (30-27 30-26 30-27 30-27 30-27) against Janjaem Suwannapeng (Thailand) in the women's 66kg semifinal at the 2024 Paris Olympic boxing event held at Roland Garros Stadium in Paris, France.

Khelif dominated the match with overwhelming strength and skill throughout, comfortably securing the victory by decision.

Khelif, along with Lin Yuting (Taiwan), is the athlete who sparked the gender controversy in this tournament.

Last year, the International Boxing Association (IBA) declared Khelif and Lin Yuting disqualified from the World Championships because they were found to have 'XY chromosomes,' which generally indicate male.

However, the IOC stated, "There is no evidence that these two athletes have 'XY' chromosomes, and they are female athletes," allowing them to compete in the Paris Olympics.

As Khelif's gender controversy surfaced, many celebrities, including former U.S. President Donald Trump and Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, strongly criticized the situation.

Former President Trump posted on his social media, "I exclude males from women's sports!" J.K. Rowling also expressed anger on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "Does a female boxer have to suffer a life-changing injury to end this? Does a female boxer have to die to end this?"

Meanwhile, Khelif will challenge for the gold medal in the final match scheduled for 5:51 AM on the 10th.