Algerian boxer Imane Khelif clinched a swift victory in just 46 seconds after her Italian opponent, Angela Carini, withdrew in the round of 16 in the women’s -66kg boxing event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Carini was hit with two punches to the face in the opening round, causing her chin strap to dislodge and forcing her to move towards her corner. Although she returned to the ring, Carini decided to forfeit, allowing Khelif to secure a quick win.

Carini knelt in the middle of the ring and broke down in tears. “I stepped in to fight,” she told the Italian news agency ANSA. “I didn’t give up, but after a particularly painful punch, I felt it was enough.”

Prior to the match, the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) contacted the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to raise concerns about Khelif’s eligibility to compete. Khelif’s participation has been controversial since she was disqualified from the 2023 Women’s World Championship. Just hours before the final, Khelif was informed that her testosterone levels exceeded the allowable limit. The International Boxing Association (IBA) conducted a DNA test on Khelif, discovering she had XY chromosomes.

The Algerian Olympic Committee has refuted the claims, labeling them as a conspiracy to prevent them from winning a gold medal. They argued that Khelif’s high testosterone levels were due to medical reasons.

Another boxer, Lin Yu-Ting from Taiwan, competing in the women’s -57kg category, was also disqualified from the same tournament for similar reasons