Algeria boxer who had gender test issue wins first Olympic fight in Paris when opponent quits

Imane Khelif of Algeria is seen after her fight against Angela Carini of Italy. (REUTERS)
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Updated 01 August 2024
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Algeria boxer who had gender test issue wins first Olympic fight in Paris when opponent quits

  • Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 world championships after failing an unspecified gender eligibility test

VILLEPINTE: Imane Khelif of Algeria won her opening Olympic boxing bout Thursday when opponent Angela Carini of Italy quit after just 46 seconds.
Kheli was disqualified from the 2023 world championships after failing an unspecified gender eligibility test, and her presence at the Paris Olympics has become a divisive issue.
Carini and Khelif had only a few punch exchanges before Carini abandoned the bout, an extremely unusual occurrence in Olympic boxing. Carini’s headgear apparently became dislodged twice before she quit, and an emotional Carini didn’t shake Khelif’s hand after the decision was announce, but cried in the ring on her knees.
Afterward, a tearful Carini said that she quit because of intense pain in her nose after the opening punches. Carini, who had a spot of blood on her trunks, said she wasn’t making a political statement and was not refusing to fight Khelif.
Carini further said she is not qualified to judge whether Khelif should be allowed to compete but had no problem fighting Khelif.
Khelif is an accomplished amateur who won a silver medal at the International Boxing Association’s 2022 world championships. The same governing body disqualified her from last year’s championships shortly before her gold-medal match because of what it claimed were elevated levels of testosterone.
The 25-year-old entered the ring at the North Paris Arena to a chorus of cheers, but the crowd was confused by the bout’s sudden end.
Khelif and Lin Yu‑ting of Taiwan have suddenly received massive scrutiny for their presence in Paris after years of amateur competition. Lin won IBA world championships in 2018 and 2022, but the governing body stripped her of a bronze medal last year because it claimed she failed to meet unspecified eligibility requirements in a biochemical test.
The Algerian Olympic Committee issued a statement Wednesday condemning what it termed “lies” and “unethical targeting and maligning of our esteemed athlete, Imane Khelif, with baseless propaganda from certain foreign media outlets.”
Lin begins her Paris run Friday, fighting Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova in her opening bout after receiving a first-round bye.
Khelif and Lin are two-time Olympians who fought in the Tokyo Games with no controversy. Lin has been an elite-level amateur boxer for a decade and Khelif for six years. They were allowed to compete in Paris by the IOC task force, which has run the past two Olympic boxing tournaments.
The IOC on Tuesday defended their right to compete. Olympic boxing reached gender parity for the first time this year, with 124 men and 124 women competing in Paris.
“Everyone competing in the women’s category is complying with the competition eligibility rules,” IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said. ”They are women in their passports and it’s stated that this is the case, that they are female.”
Lin is the top seed in the 57-kilogram category, although Olympic seeding is frequently unindicative of the top medal contenders in a division.
Several sports have updated their gender rules over the past three years, including World Aquatics, World Athletics and the International Cycling Union. The track body also last year tightened rules on athletes with differences in sex development (DSD).
But the IOC said it made its eligibility decisions on boxers based on the gender-related rules that applied at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
The IOC is in charge of boxing in Paris because the IBA has been banned from the past two Olympics becuase of years of governance problems, a lack of financial transparency and many perceived instances of corruption in judging and refereeing.
The IOC has revoked the Olympic status of the IBA, which is controlled by president Umar Kremlev, who is Russian. He brought in Russian state-owned Gazprom as its primary sponsor and moved much of the IBA’s operations to Russia.
The IBA has since lost more than three dozen members who have formed a new group called World Boxing, which hopes to be recognized by the IOC as the sport’s governing body ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The IBA has aggressively seized on the boxers’ presence in Paris to criticize the IOC. After the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the IOC’s ban earlier this year, the IBA appealed to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.
The banned body issued a statement Wednesday in which it claimed both boxers did not have a “testosterone examination” last year, but were “subject to a separate and recognized test” for their disqualification. The IBA said the test’s “specifics remain confidential,” refusing to explain it.
Kremlev also posted an incendiary video on social media in which he criticized IOC President Thomas Bach, the opening ceremonies and the decision to allow Khelif and Lin to compete.
Women’s boxers have been asked about Khelif and Lin repeatedly this week. Many have expressed concern, while others have urged more consideration of an obviously complicated issue.
“I don’t agree with that being allowed, especially in combat sports as it can be incredibly dangerous,” Australian middleweight Caitlin Parker said. “But right now, my focus is on getting through each fight. It’s not like I haven’t sparred with guys before, but it can be dangerous for combat sports, and it should be seriously looked into. It is good that these things are coming out, and it’s being put under the spotlight to be looked into further.
“Biologically and genetically, they are going to have more advantages. Combat sports can be dangerous. Fairness is what it’s all about. We all want fairness in sport.”


Morocco’s El-Jamari scores spectacular win at ONE Fight Night 30

Updated 09 April 2025
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Morocco’s El-Jamari scores spectacular win at ONE Fight Night 30

  • Compatriot Chafi puts in disappointing performance against rising English fighter George Jarvis in lightweight Muay Thai matchup

BANGKOK: Moroccan Muay Thai stars Elmehdi El-Jamari and Mouhcine Chafi had differing fates at ONE Championship show ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles.

The two Moroccans participated in the weekend event which was held inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium and featured bouts in several fighting genres.

El-Jamari scored a first-round knockout victory over Thai counterpart Thongpoon PK Saenchai in a strawweight Muay Thai bout, raising his overall professional record to 27-1.

The 28-year-old put in an excellent attacking performance, pressing forward from the opening bell before an impressive boxing combination saw him land a left hook that finished his opponent at 2:56 of the first round.

Chafi suffered another disappointing performance as he was dominated by rising English fighter George Jarvis in a lightweight Muay Thai matchup.

Following his third consecutive loss, and after the unanimous decision, the former WBC light heavyweight Muay Thai champion saw his record slump to 32-8.


Dubai to host third UAE National MMA Championship

Updated 09 April 2025
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Dubai to host third UAE National MMA Championship

  • Tournament will take place from April 12–13 at Shabab Al-Ahli Club in Dubai

ABU DHABI: The UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation has announced that the third edition of the UAE National MMA Championship will take place on April 12-13 at Shabab Al-Ahli Club in Dubai.

The championship is part of the federation’s efforts to promote mixed martial arts nationwide, and provide a competitive platform for identifying and developing emerging talent.

The third edition is expected to draw wide participation from male and female athletes representing clubs and academies across the UAE, reflecting the championship’s growing significance in the national sports calendar.

It will feature several age divisions, starting with Youth D (ages 10–11), followed by Youth C (ages 12–13), Youth B (ages 14–15), Youth A (ages 16–17) and the Adults category (ages 18 and above).

The federation said that the weight divisions for each age group have been approved in line with international standards, ensuring fair competition among athletes within the same category. The approved competition format is also designed to raise the overall level of performance by motivating athletes to perform at their peak. At the end of the championship, the top athletes in each age and weight category will be crowned.

Mohammed Jassim Al-Hosani, a member of the federation’s Mixed Martial Arts Committee, said: “The UAE National MMA Championship is an important part of the federation’s championship calendar, as it helps us achieve both technical and strategic goals. It gives athletes the chance to test their skills in a competitive setting that meets international standards, and it helps us discover and support new talent through well-structured development programs.”

Al-Hosani added that the strong participation in the past two editions of the championship shows the federation’s success in building a strong group of athletes and boosting the UAE’s reputation as a leader in mixed martial arts, regionally and globally.


Shai scores 42, Doncic ejected as Thunder down Lakers 136-120

Updated 09 April 2025
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Shai scores 42, Doncic ejected as Thunder down Lakers 136-120

  • The Cleveland Cavaliers clinched No.1 seeding in the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs after cruising past the Chicago Bulls 135-113
  • Second-seeded Boston Celtics edged the third placed New York Knicks in a thriller at Madison Square Garden, with Jayson Tatum’s 32-point performance guiding the NBA champions to a 119-117 overtime victory

LOS ANGELES: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 136-120 on Tuesday in a hard-fought battle that saw Luka Doncic controversially ejected in the fourth quarter.

Two days after suffering a 27-point defeat to the Lakers, the No.1-ranked Thunder avenged that loss thanks to Gilgeous-Alexander’s 13th 40-point game of the season, with Jalen Williams adding 26 and Lugentz Dort 17.

The contest pivoted on the fourth quarter incident that led to the Lakers’ Slovenian star Doncic picking up a second technical foul and being tossed from the game.

Doncic was ejected following a one-handed jump shot which put the Lakers 108-107 up with 7min 40sec remaining after officiating crew member J.T. Orr judged he had been verbally abused by the player following the bucket.

Doncic protested, arguing he had merely been responding to a fan at courtside who had heckled him, but the decision stood and clearly rattled the Lakers, allowing the Thunder to seize the initiative and pull away for victory.

“It was a great game that unfortunately didn’t get the finish that I think every basketball fan would want because of some decision making on some individuals’ parts,” Lakers coach J.J. Redick said.

LeBron James, who finished with 28 points, was at a loss to explain Doncic’s ejection.

“I don’t know why the ref was taking it personal,” James told reporters. “The ref took it upon himself to think it was versus him. The game was just weird as hell after that.”

Doncic insisted he had not been trash-talking Orr. “It was nothing to do with the ref, so I didn’t really understand it,” Doncic said. “It was tough, but you know that’s on me too. I can’t let my team down like that.”

The Lakers remain in third place with a 48-31 record and need to win two of their remaining three regular-season fixtures to lock in third seeding in the Western Conference.

The Cleveland Cavaliers clinched No.1 seeding in the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs after cruising past the Chicago Bulls 135-113.

Darius Garland led the scoring with 28 points in a balanced offensive performance from the Cavs, who improved to 63-16 to ensure they will finish the regular season on top of the East.

The victory ensures Cleveland will have home advantage when the playoffs get under way next week following the completion of the regular season on Sunday.

Garland was one of five Cleveland players to post double figures, with Evan Mobley adding 21 points with 12 rebounds and seven assists and Ty Jerome chipping in with 18 off the bench.

“You celebrate these moments,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “I think the guys are super happy in that locker room. We’ve had some ups and downs this past month, but I’m really proud of the guys.

“It’s hard to win 63 games in this league, and it’s hard to be the first seed. So great accomplishment. We’re hungry for more.”

Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, the second-seeded Boston Celtics edged the third placed New York Knicks in a thriller at Madison Square Garden, with Jayson Tatum’s 32-point performance guiding the NBA champions to a 119-117 overtime victory.

Back in the Western Conference playoff race, where six teams are vying for the remaining four automatic playoff berths, the Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a potentially costly 110-103 defeat on the road to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The result leave Minnesota on 46-33 and outside the top six places in the West.

The Memphis Grizzlies boosted their chances of playoff qualification with a 124-100 win over the Charlotte Hornets on the road.

The win lifted Memphis into fifth place in the table with a 47-32 record.

The game was overshadowed by a scary injury to Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells, who was stretchered off the court after landing heavily following a foul by K.J. Simpson.

US media reported Wells was awake and alert and nursing a broken wrist following the incident.


Stephen Curry, Warriors leave Suns on brink of elimination

Updated 09 April 2025
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Stephen Curry, Warriors leave Suns on brink of elimination

  • Trayce Jackson-Davis added 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Warriors
  • The Phoenix Suns dropped its seventh straight game despite Devin Booker’s 21 points

Stephen Curry amassed 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists, Brandin Podziemski scored 22 points, and the visiting Golden State Warriors blew past the Phoenix Suns 133-95 on Tuesday.
Trayce Jackson-Davis added 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Warriors (47-32), who won their sixth game in seven tries.
Jimmy Butler III, Jonathan Kuminga, Kevin Knox II and Pat Spencer each put up 10 points for Golden State, which led by as many as 41 points and pulled even with the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies in a four-way for the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference standings.
Phoenix (35-44) dropped its seventh straight game despite Devin Booker’s 21 points. Ryan Dunn and Grayson Allen chipped in 12 points apiece for the Suns, who are all but eliminated from play-in contention. They fell three games back of the 10th-place Dallas Mavericks with three games to go.
After taking a 26-point advantage into halftime, the Warriors ballooned the lead to 81-47 after Butler’s mid-range jumper and subsequent three-point play.
Kuminga sank a pair of layups surrounding a Podziemski trey, giving Golden State its largest lead of the night to that point at 93-57 with 1:39 remaining in the third quarter. Allen split a pair of free throws on the Suns’ final possession of the quarter, cutting the deficit to 95-61 entering the fourth.
After Golden State cleared the bench, Warriors reserves Knox and Gui Santos hit 3-pointers and Spencer connected on two treys, extending the lead to 113-74.
Golden State shot 54.2 percent in the first quarter and Curry scored 13 as the Warriors took a 37-24 lead into the second.
Allen’s five straight points pulled the Suns within eight before Jackson-Davis’ three-point play stamped Golden State’s 10-2 run, pushing the margin to 49-33. Booker hit a stepback jumper, but Curry’s layup began a 9-0 Warriors’ spurt that forged a 58-35 lead with 3:07 left in the period.
Booker’s layup with 47 seconds remaining ended the first half for the Suns, who entered the locker room behind 69-43.


Nuggets fire coach Michael Malone and oust GM Calvin Booth in stunning move as postseason looms

Updated 09 April 2025
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Nuggets fire coach Michael Malone and oust GM Calvin Booth in stunning move as postseason looms

  • Josh Kroenke, the vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, said “it is with no pleasure” that the Nuggets made the change at coach
  • The Nuggets are 47-32 this season with three games left but have dropped four consecutive games and are in a logjam of teams fighting for home-court advantage in Round 1 of the playoffs

NEW YORK: Michael Malone, who coached the Denver Nuggets to the NBA title in 2023 and has led the team to eight consecutive winning seasons, was fired Tuesday in a stunning move that comes with less than a week in the regular season.

Also out: general manager Calvin Booth, whose contract will not be renewed. The Nuggets said David Adelman will become the coach for the remainder of the season.

Josh Kroenke, the vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, said “it is with no pleasure” that the Nuggets made the change at coach.

“This decision was not made lightly and was evaluated very carefully, and we do it only with the intention of giving our group the best chance at competing for the 2025 NBA Championship and delivering another title to Denver and our fans everywhere,” Kroenke said.

The Nuggets are 47-32 this season with three games left but have dropped four consecutive games and are in a logjam of teams fighting for home-court advantage in Round 1 of the playoffs. Denver won the title in 2023 and lost a Game 7 at home in the Western Conference semifinals a year ago to Minnesota.

Malone had the fourth-longest tenure of any active NBA coach, behind San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra and Golden State’s Steve Kerr.

Malone won 471 regular-season games in Denver, 39 more than Doug Moe for the franchise’s all-time coaching lead.

“While the timing of this decision is unfortunate, as Coach Malone helped build the foundation of our now championship level program, it is a necessary step to allow us to compete at the highest level right now. Championship level standards and expectations remain in place for the current season, and as we look to the future, we look forward to building on the foundations laid by Coach Malone over his record-breaking 10-year career in Denver,” Kroenke said.

Malone had consistent success in Denver. The Nuggets finished with losing records in his first two seasons and posted winning records in his next eight years with the club.

This season’s postseason appearance will be the team’s seventh in a row; it has not clinched a playoff berth yet this season but is assured of finishing no worse than in the play-in tournament.

Starting with the first playoff appearance under Malone in 2019, the Nuggets got out of the first round six times in seven chances. They made the Western Conference finals in the Walt Disney World bubble in 2020 and then rolled to the championship by winning 16 of 20 playoff games in 2023.