Being disqualified from the world championships last year for allegedly failing an eligibility test, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif's journey into the Paris Olympics ended in glory as she clinched gold in the women's 66kg division.
Khelif triumphed over China's Yang Liu after a unanimous decision, marking Algeria's first Olympic gold medal since 2012.
She dominated the first two rounds winning them 10-9, before strategically going on the defensive in the final round.
Her tactics forced Yang to advance more aggressively, unsettling Khelif, who was cautioned by the referee for holding.
Despite the tension, Khelif maintained her lead and all five judges awarded her the victory.
As the final score of 30-27 was announced, Khelif embraced her team and saluted the crowd.
Draped in the Algerian flag, she was carried around the arena on her coach's shoulders, celebrating her historic win.
Meanwhile, in other competitions coming up tonight and into tomorrow, in athletics, the men’s marathon will begin at 6pm this evening, the men’s high jump final, the men’s 800m final, the women’s javelin throw final, the women’s 100m hurdles final, the men’s 5000m final, the women’s 1500m final, the men’s 4x400m relay final and the women’s 4x400m relay final will all be held tomorrow morning.
In the men’s basketball, Germany will take on Serbia in the bronze medal final at 9pm tonight while France will play the USA at 7.30am tomorrow.
The women’s football gold medal match between Brazil and the USA will kick off at 3am tomorrow.
In table tennis, Korea will take on Germany in the women’s bronze medal final at 8 tonight while China will take on Japan at 1am tomorrow in the women’s gold medal final.
[Source: 9News]
