Transgender Algerian Boxer Wins Olympic Fight as Opponent Withdraws Early Amidst Tears 

Imane Khelif of Algeria has won her opening match at the Olympic boxing event on Thursday in an unusual manner. Her opponent, Angela Carini from Italy, quit the fight in just 46 seconds after it began.

Carini’s decision to stop fighting was shocking, which was an unusual occurrence in Olympic boxing.

Prior to the fight, Khelif’s participation in the Paris Olympics has been controversial. She was previously disqualified from the 2023 world championships after failing a gender eligibility test, which generated lots of controversies over her inclusion in the Paris 2024 Olympics Games.

During the fight, Carini and Khelif exchanged only a few punches. Carini appeared to have trouble with her headgear, which seemed to become dislodged at least once.

She didn’t shake Khelif’s hand after the match was announced, but she was seen kneeling in the ring in tears.

Carini later explained that she stopped the fight due to severe pain in her nose caused by the opening punches. She had a small blood stain on her trunks.

Carini emphasized that her decision to quit was not a political statement or a refusal to fight Khelif, but rather due to the pain she was experiencing.