The Olympic boxing match between Italian Angela Carini and Algerian Imane Chelif lasted only 46 seconds. After the first blow to the head that the Italian received from her controversial opponent, Carini called a timeout before giving up the match. Then she refused to shake Chelifova’s hand and left the ring in tears. Originally, the Algerian was not supposed to compete in Paris at all, as the International Boxing Federation (IBF) excluded her from the women’s category.
Photo: Profimedia
Angela Carini surrendered to the first blow to the face.
The twenty-five-year-old Italian is the vice-champion of Europe and the world, but she did not last even a minute in the match with Chelifová. Female boxers managed to exchange only a few blows in the weight category up to 66 kg.
After 30 seconds, the Italian headed to her corner to the coach and straightened the protective helmet on her head. After that, she briefly returned to the match, but ended the duel shortly after.
However, in the first interviews with journalists, she did not state the reason why she gave up the match after only 46 seconds. Thursday’s match only deepened the controversy caused by Chelifa’s start under five rings.
The Algerian was kicked out of last year’s World Cup after a series of tests and DNA examinations showed she had failed tests for testosterone and gender. Her examination should have shown XY chromosomes, which are typical for men.
“They say I’m not allowed to wrestle with women. But I didn’t create myself, that’s how God created me,” Chelifová defended herself.
The World Championships are held under the auspices of the International Boxing Federation, which is excluded from the Olympic movement.
The five-ring tournament is managed by the International Olympic Committee, which assured in Wednesday’s statement that all participants in the boxing tournament meet the conditions for competition, including valid medical prescriptions.
However, Chelifová is not the only boxer who is causing a stir with her Olympic debut. In addition to her, two-time world champion Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan will also appear in the weight category up to 57 kg.
The IBF disqualified her from the last world championship for the same reason. Her match under the five rings is scheduled for Friday.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
