The highly contentious Olympic boxing match between Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Italy’s Angela Carini came to an abrupt end after just 46 seconds when Carini suffered a suspected broken nose.
Khelif, who failed a testosterone test at last year’s World Championships, was allowed to compete despite being banned from a gold-medal bout in Delhi by the International Boxing Association.
The IBA cited Khelif’s failure of biochemical tests in two consecutive years.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is now facing mounting pressure to explain its decision to permit Khelif’s participation, given the uncertainty surrounding her sex classification.
Angela Carini just pulled out of her fight against Imane Khelif – a man.
Seconds into the fight yet she knew the danger she was in.
Her Olympic dreams gone for the sake of “inclusion”.
Shame on you @iocmedia. You’re a disgrace. pic.twitter.com/5rL1wu2g2V
— Brandubh (@brandubh4) August 1, 2024
The bout’s swift conclusion came when Carini took a powerful punch to the face, immediately retreating to her corner and signalling she could not continue.
The controversial match’s brief moments were marked by Khelif’s dominance.
She landed a powerful right hand early on, followed by a near-flurry of punches. At the 35-second mark, Carini signalled for a pause, having her headgear checked whilst briefly conferring with her coaches.
Upon resuming, Carini was immediately struck by another right hand from Khelif. Within seconds, the Italian boxer raised her glove once more, signalling her withdrawal from the contest.
Following the bout’s conclusion, Carini fell to her knees, visibly distraught. The referee officially declared Khelif the winner, raising the Algerian’s hand.
Khelif attempted to console her opponent, approaching Carini twice for an embrace, but was rebuffed. Both fighters then exited the ring separately.
