Imane Khelif has won an Olympic gold medal after the boxer was embroiled in a gender row.
The Algerian dominated the match against 2023 world champion Yang Liu to win all the judges’ scorecards unanimously in rounds one and two.
Although Liu put up a fight in the final third round, it wasn’t enough to overcome Khelif.
The medal marks the country’s first-ever female boxing gold.
Imane Khelif wins Olympic boxing gold medal amid controversial gender rowREUTERS
Khelif fought Yang Liu in the final
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Despite the accolade tonight, the Algerian boxer has been embroiled in a gender row as it was discovered she was disqualified from last year’s World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after she was reported to have failed gender eligibility tests.
Khelif broke silence on her gender earlier this week, declaring: “I don’t care what anyone is saying about me with the controversy.
“All that is important to me is that I stay on the level and give my people the performance they deserve.
“I know I’m a talented person and this is a gift to all Algerians.”
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Khelif failed a gender eligibility test last year
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Imane Khelif celebrates her gold medal win
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Imane Khelif hoists the Algerian flag triumphantly
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Khelif was given the green light to compete by the IOC, with the Algerian saying she was thankful for their support on the subject.
“I know that the Olympic Committee has done me justice, and I am happy with this remedy because it shows the truth,” she said.
Khelif's troubles began during the Paris Games when she fought Angela Carini during the quarter-finals of the 66kg event and forced the Italian to abandon the fight in just 46 seconds.
Carini twice went to her corner to fix her headgear after being punched by Khelif before conceding.
Imane Khelif salutes as the referee raises her hand
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Imane Khelif won gold
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The Italian burst into tears as she knelt on the canvas as Khelif's arm was raised aloft.
Weighing in on the row, gender critical policy researcher Lottie Moore told GB News that “the buck stops with the International Olympic Committee”.
Moore said: “I think we need to be really clear that it's not the fault of them.
“It's the rules that should never have allowed them to compete. And so, the blame is really with the International Olympic Committee.
“I think that the buck stops with them. And so I completely agree. There are many victims in this situation.”