Algerian boxer Imane Khelif overcame significant gender controversy to claim gold at the Paris Olympics on Friday, captivating the enthusiastic Roland Garros audience who cheered her on to victory. Khelif secured a unanimous points decision against China's Yang Liu in the women's 66kg final, marking her inaugural Olympic medal. Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, who, along with Khelif, was disqualified from the previous year's world championships due to failing gender eligibility tests, competes in the women's 57kg final on Saturday. A substantial number of Algerian supporters filled the 15,000-capacity Court Philippe Chatrier, typically reserved for Grand Slam tennis, to witness one of the Games' most contentious athletes. Standing at 1.79 meters (5ft 9in), Khelif held a height and strength advantage over her three opponents, whom she easily defeated en route to the final. Yang, a 32-year-old world champion, posed a different challenge, nearly matching Khelif's height. As the 25-year-old Khelif entered the arena, performing shadow-boxing and accompanied by chants of "Imane, Imane," loud cheers erupted. Khelif controlled the majority of the first round from the center of the ring and unleashed a series of punches on Yang towards the end, seizing the early advantage. The second round mirrored the first, with Khelif's punches seeming more powerful and threatening. Leading on all judges' scorecards entering the third round, Khelif needed only to avoid major setbacks to secure gold. After the final bell, the two embraced, and following Khelif's decisive win, she was carried around the arena on the shoulders of a team member. Both Khelif and Lin competed in the Tokyo Olympics three years prior without controversy, neither winning a medal. They were both expelled from the previous year's world championships, organized by the Russian-led International Boxing Association (IBA), but were permitted to compete in Paris. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has managed the sport at the Games due to concerns over the IBA's administration, including financial, ethical, and judging issues. The gender controversy sparked in Paris when Khelif defeated Angela Carini in just 46 seconds, the Italian in tears and unable to continue after a severely injured nose. IBA's Kremlin-linked president, Umar Kremlev, claimed in a tumultuous press conference that Khelif and Lin had undergone genetic testing indicating they are men. The IOC has strongly defended both boxers, with president Thomas Bach affirming they were born and raised as women, as evidenced by their passports. Neither is known to identify as transgender, and they have received robust support from their home countries.