IMANE Khelif is in the Paris Olympics welterweight (66kgs) final after defeating Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng via unanimous decision. Khelif is now just one win away from securing the gold medal, which she believes will silence her critics.
Khelif outpointed the Thai southpaw to reach the final of last year’s World Championship before being disqualified. Suwannapheng was reinstated and lost the final to Liu Yang. Fast-forward to this evening at the Stade Roland Garros and Khelif was given a huge welcome by a supportive crowd.
Boxing with the eyes of the world upon her, having become one of the most talked about boxers on the scene over recent days, Khelif stood tall and used her reach and range early to measure Suwannapheng behind a solid left jab. Khelif swept all five scorecards in round one after landing the more accurate single shots.
Suwannapheng tried to force the issue in round two but was struggling to gain any success. Her misery was compounded in the final session when American referee Shawn Reese dished out a standing count.
Khelif sat on the ropes to allow her opponent to leave the ring before celebrating her 5-0 domination. The final takes place on Friday, August 9. Her opponent will soon be decided as China’s Liu Yang and Taiwan/Chinese Taipei’s Nien Chin Chen are currently battling it out in the second semi-final.