Hungary outraged as boxer set to face Imane Khelif in Olympic gender controversy | HO

Hungary Outraged as Boxer Set to Face Immani Khif in Olympic Gender Controversy

Hey guys, welcome back to my channel. The Hungarian Boxing Association has announced it will send letters of protest to both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Hungary’s Olympic Committee regarding Luca Hamori’s quarterfinal match against Immani Khif of Algeria in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics. Despite the controversy, Hamori is still set to accept her fight on Saturday against Khif, according to Hungary’s State News Agency, MTI. Lajos Berco, a member of the association’s executive board, informed MTI of the association’s plans on Friday. They are also exploring the possibility of legally challenging Khif’s participation.

“I am very sad that there is a scandal and that we have to talk about a topic that is not compatible with sport,” Berco said. “This is unacceptable and outrageous.” The association plans to express their indignation and request the IOC reconsider its decision to allow a competitor who was previously banned from the International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships. Khif and fellow boxer Lin Yuting of Chinese Taipei were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships after competing, due to failing unspecified gender eligibility tests, though no documentation was provided. Both fighters had previously competed in IBA events for several years.

Hamori, Hungary’s first women’s boxer at the Olympics, expressed no concerns about facing Khif. “I’m not scared,” Hamori said after earning her quarterfinal spot in the 66-kilogram division by defeating Australia’s Marissa Williamson. “I don’t care about the press story and social media.”

Khif’s first opponent in Paris, Angela Carini of Italy, quit their bout after 46 seconds. “It was her choice,” Hamori said of Carini. “I don’t understand because I thought every boxer’s mind is the same as mine—to never give up. But it was her choice. We don’t know what was the reason. It’s her life, but I know I want to do this in my own life.”

Carini’s tearful reaction to abandoning the fight made international headlines, and she received a visit from Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. “This, from my point of view, was not an equal competition,” Meloni said on Thursday while in Paris, where she consoled Carini. On Friday, Meloni met with IOC President Thomas Bach, and they agreed that the Italian government and IOC would remain in contact to evaluate how to address this issue in the future.

VIDEO: