Who is Yang Liu? Meet Imane Khelif’s final boxing opponent at Paris 2024 Olympics
OLYMPIC BOXING has been dominated by discussions of boxing finalist Imane Khelif’s gender.
But many fans are asking about the rising star, looking to challenge Imane for the gold medal. Here’s everything you need to know about Team China’s Yang Liu.
Who is Yang Liu?
Yang Liu is a boxer at the top of her game, after winning a gold medal at the 2023 World Championships and the Asian Games.
She beat Taiwan’s Chen Nien-chin in the women’s 66kg Olympic semi-final on points.
That win has secured her a silver medal at the least, but Yang is looking to go one better with gold.
When will Yang Liu fight Imane Khelif?
Yang will face off against Imane on August 9, 2024.
The women’s 66kg fight will kick off at 9:51pm.
Imane has been unstoppable in her rise to the top, after beating Italy’s Angela Carini in 46 seconds.
That fight sparked a wide debate around gender and sex in women’s sports.
What has Yang Liu said about her fight with Imane Khelif?
Both Yang and Imane competed at the 2023 World Championships.
However, where Yang won the gold, Imane was disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA).
The IBA alleges that this was on the grounds of gender ineligibility.
The Olympic final holds special significance for both competitors then.
For Yang, it is a chance to prove that she is a true world champion.
For Imane, it is an opportunity to finally confront critics head-on.
Yang has not weighed in on the online debate surrounding Imane’s gender.