Algerian boxer Imane Khelif defeated Chinese opponent Yang Liu in the 66kg gold medal bout at the Paris Summer Olympics on Friday.
Khelif received a warm welcome from the crowd as she entered the ring at Roland Garros Stadium for her fourth bout of the Games. Algerian flags were seen waving all around the arena.
In the first round, both fighters started off tentatively, but Khelif got the better of her southpaw opponent, taking the round in unanimous fashion.
It was more of the same in the second round as a stiff punch from the Algerian sent Yang bouncing off the ropes in the opening seconds. With the pro-Khelif crowd chanting wildly, she punished her opponent with a barrage of punches on her way to another victorious round on all the judges’ scorecards.
With a huge lead on the scorecards, Khelif continued to apply the pressure to Yang in the third and final round. The Chinese fighter continued pressing forward, but could not break through Khelif’s defense.
“I’m very happy. For eight years, this has been my dream and I’m now the Olympic champion and gold medallist,” she said after the fight. “I’ve worked for eight years, no sleep, eight years tired. Now I’m Olympic champion.”I want to thank all the people who have come to support me. All the people from Algeria and all the people at my base. I want to thank all the team, my coach. Thank you so much.”
After the final bell rang, the fighters hugged in a show of respect and sportsmanship.
The crowd cheered raucously as it was announced that Khelif had won the gold medal on points by unanimous decision.
Khelif did her trademark victory dance in the ring and posed for photographers before she was carried away from the ring on the shoulders of one of her trainers.
CNN
