A BITTER BLOW

Fighter who failed gender test batters rival in 46-second bout

-  JEREMY ARMSTRONG

OLYMPIC chiefs faced fury last night after a female boxer previously banned for failing a gender test pummeled her opponent in just 46 seconds.

Algerian Imane Khelif, 25, was kicked out of the International Boxing Association's World Championships in India last year after tests showed high levels of testosterone and a male chromosome.

Khelif has a rare condition called Differences of Sexual Development.

It can cause increased testosterone and muscle mass, a skeletal advantage and faster twitch muscle due to conditions that develop in the womb involving genes, hormones and reproductive organs.

But the International Olympic Committee allowed Khelif to compete in Paris 2024. She beat Italy's Angela Carini, 25, with a barrage of powerful blows.

Carini suffered what looked to be a broken nose and her coach ended the contest immediately.