Who is Imane Khelif's final opponent Yang Liu? Everything about Algerian boxer's gold medal match against world champion at Paris Olympics

By Animesh Pandey

Modified Aug 07, 2024 18:30 GMT

Follow Us

Share

0 Discuss

Imane Khelif of Algeria has reached the final in the women's 66kg boxing at the Paris Olympics. Despite the alleged questions surrounding her eligibility, the Algerian boxer has managed to sail through every round.

Following Angela Carini's withdrawal from their bout after less than a minute of boxing, Khelif faced Anna Luca Hamori of Hungary and Janjaem Suwannapheng in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively. The Algerian pugilist defeated both of them to proceed to the finals of women's welterweight (66kg) boxing at the Paris Olympics 2024.

This will be Algeria's first Olympic medal in boxing since the Sydney Olympics 2000, when Mohamed Allalou won a bronze medal in the men's light welterweight category (64 kg).

Khelif will now face Yang Liu of China in the women's welterweight category final at the Paris Olympics. The Chinese boxer, the gold medalist from both the 2023 World Championships and the Asian Games, defeated Chen Nien-chin of Chinese Taipei in the semifinals 4-1 to reach the final.

Who is Yang Liu?

Yang Liu is a 32-year-old boxer from China who competes in the welterweight division. She was born in the Republic of China on May 20, 1992. Liu has taken part in 33 matches in her professional boxing career, recording 26 victories in them. She has a height of 178 cm.

The unfinished bout between Yang Liu and Imane Khelif

Imane Khelif of Algeria with her coaches during the semifinals of the women's 66kg boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics [Image Source: Getty]

The final between Yang Liu and Imane Khelif is not only a fight for the Olympic gold medal but also a battle of redemption for Imane Khelif.

The story began at the 2023 World Championships, where Khelif entered her second consecutive semifinals. At the 2022 edition, she won a silver medal in the light welterweight category.

Khelif faced Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand in the semifinal. Awaiting the winner in the final was Yang Liu, who had defeated Nadezhda Ryabets of Kazakhstan in the other semifinal. Khelif defeated the Thai boxer to reach the final.

However, moments before the final, Khelif was disqualified by the IBA on alleged grounds of gender ineligibility, a story similar to that of Lin Yu-Ting of Taiwan.

Imane Khelif's performances leading up to the Paris Olympics

Imane Khelif of Algeria [in blue] in action during the semifinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics [Image Source: Getty]

Despite the major setback, four months after her disqualification Imane Khalif represented her country at the Arab Games held in Algeria, winning the gold medal. In September 2023, Khelif participated in the African Olympic qualifiers held at Dakar, Senegal, looking to make the cut for the 2024 Olympics.

Crucially, the IBA was suspended by the IOC for other matters in June 2023. Decisions about the boxing events would thus be taken by the IOC's Paris 2024 Boxing Unit.

Under the IOC's guidelines, Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting were clear to participate in their respective categories at the Paris Olympics 202, despite criticism from some quarters. The Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) unequivocally backed Khelif, calling the criticism against her participation baseless propaganda.

Khelif and Lin are now assured of Olympic medals, with Khelif competing for the Olympic gold medal against Yang Liu of China. The final between Khelif and Yang will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Stade Roland Garros at 10:51 p.m. (local time).