PARIS — Italy’s Angela Carini halted her welterweight boxing match against Algeria’s Imane Khelifin after just 46 seconds and two powerful punches. The bout, which took place in Paris, saw Carini requesting the match be stopped, falling to her knees, and visibly breaking down in tears following the decisive blows from Khelifin.
Carini, 27, threw her helmet to signal the end of the match, a gesture that marked her first-ever mid-fight withdrawal. The Italian boxer expressed her heartbreak post-match, stating, “I have always honored my country and been loyal. This time I failed because I couldn’t fight anymore.”
Khelifin, 25, delivered the powerful punches that led to Carini’s decision. Khelifin, who failed a gender test last year due to the presence of XY chromosomes and was disqualified from the World Cup in India, has been a contentious figure in the boxing world. At that time, the World Cup organizers did not test Khelifin for testosterone.
After the match was stopped, the referee raised Khelifin’s hand in victory. However, an emotional Carini pulled her hand away, dropped to her knees, and cried, stating she had never been hit so hard in a match before.
The Italian athlete refused to shake hands with Khelifin, a decision she later clarified was not a protest against Khelifin’s inclusion in the competition. Carini suggested that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) consider the broader issue of eligibility.
Following the encounter, Carini was taken for a medical evaluation. A spokesperson for the Italian team revealed that Carini’s relatives and friends had advised her not to enter the ring, indicating concerns about her safety and well-being against such a formidable opponent.
Khelifin is one of two athletes permitted by the IOC to compete in women’s boxing at the Games under the current guidelines. Alongside Khelifin, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting has also been allowed to compete, though it remains unclear if either athlete identifies as transgender or intersex.
The controversy surrounding the participation of athletes like Khelifin in women’s sports has been a hot topic in the sports community. Tokyo Olympic champion Kelly Harrington has openly refused to fight boxers who are biologically male, further fueling the debate on inclusivity and fairness in women’s sports.
Despite the defeat, Carini remains a respected figure in the boxing community. Her decision to stop the fight was met with mixed reactions, with some praising her courage to prioritize her safety, while others expressed disappointment at the abrupt end to the match.
The IOC’s policies on gender inclusivity and the criteria for participation in women’s sports continue to evolve. This incident highlights the complexities and challenges faced by athletes and governing bodies in balancing fairness, safety, and inclusivity in competitive sports.
As the debate continues, the experiences of athletes like Carini and Khelifin will undoubtedly shape the future of policies and practices in the world of sports, ensuring that all athletes can compete in an environment that is both fair and respectful.