PARIS, Aug 7 (TNA) – Thai female boxer Janjaem Suwannapeng put up a valiant fight but succumbed to the strength of Algeria’s Imane Khelif, losing 0-5 in the semi-finals of the women’s 66kg boxing event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The 23-year-old Thai boxer, a silver medalist at the Hangzhou Asian Games and a 2023 World Championship runner-up, had previously defeated Turkey’s Busenaz Surmeneli, the reigning world champion.
Khelif, 25, had been under the spotlight due to recent gender controversy.
The two athletes had previously met in the semi-finals of the 2023 World Championships, where Khelif was initially declared the winner but later disqualified due to a hormone testing issue.
Khelif dominated the first two rounds with a precise jab, establishing a 5-0 lead. Janjaem tried to close the distance in the final round but was unable to land significant punches. Khelif ultimately secured a 5-0 victory, earning a spot in the gold medal match.
Janjaem’s bronze medal is Thailand’s second at the Paris Games, following a silver medal in men’s singles badminton by Kunlavut Vitidsarn. This marks Thailand’s 37th Olympic medal and 18th bronze.
Under the National Sports Development Fund, Janjaem will receive a bronze medal bonus of 4,800,000 baht in installments over four years or can be paid in a lump sum of 4,000,000 baht. -819 (TNA)
