Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who has been the subject of scrutiny and criticism regarding her gender, is through to the semifinals in the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The bout lasted the full nine minutes this time.
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif got to fight the full three rounds of an Olympic Games bout on Saturday, as she went toe-to-toe against Hungary's Anna Luca Hamori in the women's 66kg division quarterfinals.
There were a lot more exchanges this time around. At some point in the third round, Khelif and Hamori got entangled and dropped to the canvas twice.
After three rounds, the referee raised Khelif's hand in victory via unanimous decision, 29-26, 29-27, 29-27, 29-27, 29-27.
The Algerian quickly faced her Hungarian opponent and spoke to her.
Hamori nodded and took Khelif's hands in a sporting gesture.
The Hungarian then went to the center of the ring and bowed to the crowd, while Khelif was sitting by the ropes in her corner, watching.
It was then Khelif's turn. She went to the Hungarian corner and acknowledged the loud Algerian audience with a prayer. She kneeled and touched the floor, before pumping her fist and yelled as she stood up.
When Khelif approached her coaches, she finally broke down.
She effectively secured Algeria's seventh Olympic boxing medal, the first since 2000, and the first-ever in women's boxing.
It was a stark contrast to Khelif's round of 16 bout with Angela Carini of Italy, which lasted only 46 seconds.
The Italian had refused to shake hands or to meet Khelif's eyes, sparking what has turned to be a very public and very divisive debate on the Algerian's qualifications to compete in the women's division.
She later went on to apologize, clarifying her refusal to shake hands was due to the pain in her nose and not as protest against Khelif.
[ALSO READ: Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who faced gender test issues, wins after opponent quits in Paris 2024]
The issue piled scrutiny and criticism on Khelif, along with Chinese Taipei's Lin Yu-ting, who were disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) in last year's World Championships.
IBA said the two boxers failed to meet eligibility criteria, following tests conducted by independent laboratories. They did not specify the exam, but denied it was a testosterone test.
The federation, which was stripped of recognition by the International Olympic Committee because of corruption allegations and transparency issues, doubled down and insisted on the ineligibility of the two boxers.
IBA president Umar Kremlev even declared the intention to award $25,000 to Carini as a prize.
The International Olympic Committee though defended the boxers and stood by their eligibility, as they have competed in Tokyo 2020. Organizers also denied this was a transgender issue.
[ALSO READ: EXPLAINED | IOC defends boxers Imane Khelif, Lin Yu-ting in Paris 2024 controversy, IBA reiterates their ineligibility]
After the match, Khelif said she was dedicating her assured medal to all Algerians and all her supporters.
"I dedicate this medal to all the Algerian people, whom I thank enormously. I would also like to thank the members of our community established in France who came out in large numbers to support me," Khelif said, based on a translated report from the Algerian Olympic and Sports Committee.
She also spoke directly regarding the eligibility issue and her detractors.
"Everyone knows that my case is a matter of honor that has affected my dignity. I thank God for this medal and I want to show the entire planet that I am a woman and I will remain a woman and I will overcome all difficulties," she said.
IOC President Thomas Bach put his foot down regarding the issue.
"Every woman who is, according to the rules, a woman, then has to to be allowed. And the definition of who is a woman and to ensure the fairness of the competition for this, we have our framework in place. This needs scientific base and this has to be carefully evaluated, and this is the only base on which you can find or come to a proper decision," Bach said in a press conference.
"There I can only invite them to come up with a scientific based new definition of who is a woman, and how can somebody being born, raised, competed and having a passport as a woman, cannot be considered a woman. If they are coming up with something, we are ready to listen," he said.
"But, we will not take part in a politically motivated, sometimes politically motivated, cultural war."
"And allow me to say, that what is going on in this context in the social media, with all this hate speech, with this aggression and abuse and fuelled by this agenda is totally unacceptable."
Khelif will face Janjaem Suwannapheng on August 7, after the Thai eliminated Tokyo 2020 champion Busenaz Surmeneli.