In a fierce exchange of fire, 22 African boxers have been gunned down in Paris.
Now Algeria’s iron-willed Imane Khelif (pictured) is Africa’s lone fighter remaining in the battlefield.
Khelif has braved vicious social media bullies on the stormy gender debate to make history as Africa’s first ever female boxer to win an Olympic medal.
She now wants to kill three birds with one stone: After her historic achievement, Khelif is aiming to become Africa’s first ever female boxer to win an Olympic gold and Algeria’s second Olympic gold medal winner.
If she wins gold, it will be the eighth one for Africa in the multisport Games in Paris which have been characterized by several sideshows.
Khelif is favoured to overcome Thailand’s world silver medallist Janjaem Suwannapheng whom she beat in last year’s World Championships in New Delhi, India. Victory will see her clash with either China’s reigning world champion and 2019 world silver medallist Yang Liu or Taipei’s Chen Nien in the welterweight division final.
Today’s seven-bout card -starting at 9.30pm local time – includes six semi-finals and the first final of the Paris Olympics to feature Ireland’s defending Tokyo Olympics lightweight champion Kellie Harrington and China’s world bronze medallist Yang Wenlu.
Credit: AFBC Communications
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