Imane Khelif’s subsequent opponent breaks silence on dealing with the Algerian
Imane Khelif’s next opponent relishes facing the Algerian boxer in the women’s boxing event at the Olympics.
On Thursday, Khelif caused Italy’s Angela Carini to quit 46 seconds into their preliminary match in controversial fashion as the Algerian has starred in a gender eligibility storm.
However, Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori is unfazed as she gears up to face Khelif in the women’s welterweight quarterfinals on Saturday.
‘I’m not scared,’ Hamori told reporters. ‘I don’t care about the press story and social media. If she or he is a man, it will be a bigger victory for me if I win.’
Khelif’s entry quickly gained negative traction after getting disqualified from the 2023 World Championships. According to the IOC, she was disqualified after ‘her elevated levels of testosterone failed to meet the eligibility criteria.’
Imane Khelif’s next opponent is unfazed despite the Algerian’s illegibility controversy
Khelif will face Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in the women’s welterweight quarterfinals
Despite that, an IOC spokesperson stated that Khelif is eligible for the Olympics as her passport says she is a woman. As a result, fans cried foul, labeling her as a ‘trans woman’ and saying she should not compete in the women’s division.
‘Everyone competing in the women’s category is complying with the competition eligibility rules,’ IOC spokesman Mark Adams said Tuesday. ‘They are women in their passports and it’s stated that this is the case, that they are female.’
It was later reported that Khelif is a biological woman who suffers from a rare condition categorized under differences in sex development (DSD) or intersex conditions. DSD or intersex cases can result in female individuals having male chromosomes or anatomy.
Khelif is coming off a controversial win over Italy’s Angela Carini in the preliminary round
Carini withdrew from the fight less than a minute into the opening round on Thursday
The Italian claimed that she withdrew due to the power of Khelif’s punches
Nevertheless, Hamori chooses to block out the noise and stay off her phone to mentally prepare for Saturday.
‘I’m trying to not use my phone before the fight,’ Hamori said. ‘I don’t want to care about the comments or the story or the news. I just want to stay focused on myself. I did it before my last two fights, so I think this is the key, and we will see.’
Hamori soundly defeated Australia’s Marissa Williamson Pohlman in her last fight.
Meanwhile, Khelif enters the showdown after not breaking a sweat against Carini – who claimed the Algerian’s punches were the hardest she’s taken.
‘I’m used to suffering,’ the Italian claimed after withdrawing from the bout. ‘I’ve never taken a punch like that, it’s impossible to continue. I’m nobody to say it’s illegal.
Hamori questioned Carini’s decision to quit as she gears up to face the Algerian boxer
Hamori soundly defeated Australia’s Marissa Williamson Pohlman in her last fight
‘I got into the ring to fight. But I didn’t feel like it anymore after the first minute. I started to feel a strong pain in my nose. I didn’t give up, but a punch hurt too much and so I said enough. I’m leaving with my head held high.’
Unfazed by the challenge, Hamori questioned Carini’s decision to turn her back from the fight.
‘It was her choice,’ Hamori said. ‘I don’t understand, because I thought every boxer’s mind is the same like mine, to never give up. But it was her choice. We don’t know what was the reason. It’s her life, but I know I want to do this in my own life.’
