She WILL go for gold! Controversial Algerian gender-row boxer Imane Khelif storms into Olympic boxing final after dismantling her Thai opponent in front of deafening crowd

Controversial gender-conflict boxer Imane Khelif has made boxing history tonight by winning an Olympic gold medal.

The 25-year-old Algerian was at the centre of the biggest controversy of the Paris 2024 Games after she was allowed to compete at the Olympics despite having previously been disqualified for failing a gender test.

But she overcame enormous public pressure – not least from the discredited International Boxing Association, which had barred her from competing – to battle her way to the final after beating Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng at the Rolan Garros tennis stadium, which has been converted into a boxing arena.

After the referee raised her hand to acknowledge her victory, she danced around the ring with unbridled joy.

If Khelif reaches the podium, she will be the first Algerian woman to win a medal in boxing at the Olympic Games.

Khalif was crowned the winner of the match against Suwannapheng at the Rolan Garros tennis stadium which has been converted into a boxing arena

After the referee raised her hand in victory, she danced around the ring with unbridled joy

After the fight, Khelif refused to discuss the gender controversy surrounding her, but praised her opponent and thanked her supporters.

Khelif said: ‘She was very good, but I trained for two weeks and watched videos of her fighting skills.

“I am just one step away from gold. Thanks to all the people who supported me, especially the people of Algeria.”

The controversy surrounding Khelif erupted into a major brawl after she defeated her Italian opponent Angela Carini in just 46 seconds. Carini conceded the match, falling to her knees in tears and shouting, “It’s just not fair.”

The Italian propagandist claims that the Algerian is not a woman.

But Khelif also burst into tears after her last fight, against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori, when she shouted from the ring: “I am a woman.”

Tonight, supporters of the 25-year-old heavyweight from the Algerian countryside gave her their unwavering support, despite the raging gender feud.

Algeria’s Imane Khelif cools down during a fight with Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng in their women’s 66kg boxing semi-final match

Imane Khelif takes a punch in the face from Janjaem Suwannapheng during the women’s 66kg boxing semi-final

Algeria’s Imane Khelif in action against Janjaem Suwannapheng

Anna Azout, 26, a lawyer, told MailOnline: ‘Khelif has been terribly abused. She is a victim of both sexism and racism. Some people in France just don’t want women, especially foreign women, to be unsuccessful.’

Nariman, 50, the company’s director, who came to the fight with her son Ramy Auzmann, 16, said: ‘Khelif has been treated very badly.

“She’s an athlete who just wants to play her sport and do her best. But she’s turned into a political pawn.”

Other supporters were seated in many places in the intimate boxing arena.

Waving the green and white flag with the red crescent and star, the crowd jumped to their feet and cheered as Imane Khelif entered the arena.

And they chanted, “Khelif, Khelif” as she entered the boxing ring and took the blue corner.

Referee Shawn Reese raises Imane Khelif’s arm to announce the winner of the women’s 66kg semifinal

Algeria’s Imane Khelif celebrates victory against Janjaem Suwannapheng

Algeria’s Imane Khelif celebrates her victory over Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng in their women’s 66kg boxing semi-final match

Algerian supporters jump to their feet as Imane Khelif enters the arena.

Khelif punched the air before the first bell sounded and the fight began.

In the second round the entire arena resounded with chants of ‘Khelif, Khelif’ as she blasted away her tough Thai opponent.

Encouraging words in Arabic rang out from the crowd as the two wrestled, danced and dragged each other around the ring.

And the cheers became almost deafening when Suwannapheng was forced to stand the count after being punched in the face in the third round.