- Imane Khelif, banned from world championships over gender eligibility, wins Olympic bout in 46 seconds.
- Italian opponent Angela Carini quits due to intense nose pain, sparking emotional reaction.
- Carini clarifies her withdrawal was due to injury, not political reasons or refusal to fight.
Imane Khelif of Algeria made a stunning return to the ring at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning her opening bout in just 46 seconds.
Visibly distraught, Carini knelt in the ring in tears and declined to shake Khelif’s hand when the decision was announced. In a statement, Carini clarified that her decision to abandon the fight was purely due to the injury and not a political statement or an act of defiance against Khelif.
Italian Boxer’s Abrupt Exit Marks Dramatic Start to Olympic Bout
In a dramatic start to the boxing events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Algeria’s Imane Khelif emerged victorious in her opening bout after her opponent, Italy’s Angela Carini, quit the match. Khelif, who had faced a ban from the world championships for failing gender eligibility tests, took the ring in the 66kg category. The bout ended swiftly in just 46 seconds as Carini, overwhelmed by pain from the initial punches, decided to quit.
Carini’s abrupt exit is highly unusual in Olympic boxing, where fighters are typically known for their resilience and determination to continue despite injuries. After the referee announced Khelif as the winner, Carini, in tears, knelt in the ring and did not engage in the customary handshake with her opponent. Her decision sparked a wave of speculation about the reasons behind her sudden withdrawal.
Addressing the media afterward, Carini clarified that her decision was based solely on the intense pain she felt in her nose after the first exchanges of punches. She dismissed any notions that her withdrawal was a political statement or an act of protest against Khelif’s participation. Carini emphasized that she had entered the ring to compete and had to make a difficult decision based on her physical condition.
Carini expressed deep regret over her inability to finish the match, stating that she felt heartbroken and disappointed. She highlighted her dedication to boxing and her country, revealing that her decision to quit was a painful but necessary one. Her emotional response underscored the challenges athletes face when balancing their drive to compete with their physical limitations.
Angela Carini’s decision to quit her Olympic bout against Imane Khelif highlights the intense physical and emotional demands of boxing. Her experience underscores the importance of athlete safety and the tough choices competitors must sometimes make in the heat of competition.
“I am not here to judge or pass judgment… I just did my job as a boxer.”
