Who is Imane Khelif’s opponent Anna Luca Hamori?
ANNA Luca Hamori is the Hungarian boxer ready to fight her way to a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but first she must beat her highly debated opponent Imane Khelif.
But what do we know about the 23-year-old competitor who has chosen not to engage with the Imane Khelif controversy?
Who is Imane Khelif’s opponent Anna Luca Hamori?
Anna was born in Szombathely, Hungary, which is the oldest city in the country.
The 23-year-old, who was born on March 12 2001, now lives in Koszeg, Hungary.
She is dating a fellow Hungarian boxer, named Kreko Istvan.
The heavyweight competed at the 2018 Youth Olympics, but Paris 2024 is her first appearance at the Olympic Games.
What is Anna Luca Hamori’s track record in boxing?
Anna competed in the 60kg category at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, where she lost 5-0 in the preliminary round.
After this, she went on to win big at the European U-22 Championships, where she won a silver medal in the 66kg category.
However, she was eliminated when competing at the 2023 World Championships.
The boxer’s Olympic record this year has been much more successful, as she has battled her way to face Imane in the quarter final.
Anna defeated Ireland’s Grainne Walsh 4-1 in one match and decisively beating Australia’s Marissa Williamson 5-0 in another.
This winning streak puts her in good stead to face off against Imane, but Imane beat her competitor, Angela Carini, within 46 seconds in her last match.
Imane’s win against Angela has sparked a debate around gender in sports.
Critics have argued that a test conducted by the International
What has Anna Luca Hamori said about Imane Khelif?
Anna has said that she is not intimidated by facing Imane in the quarter final.
She has chosen not engage with the online controversy.
Anna told reporters: “I’m not scared. I don’t care about the press story and social media.
“I don’t want to care about the comments or the story or the news.
“I just want to stay focused on myself.
“I did it before my last two fights, so I think this is the key, and we will see.”
Angela Carini has also weighed in, saying that she respects the IOC’s decision to let Imane compete in the Olympics.
She told Gazzetta dello Sport: “All this controversy makes me sad.
“I’m sorry for my opponent, too.
“If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.”
What's happening today at The Games?
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY..
TODAY’S BRIT MEDAL HOPES
Jack Laugher, Olympic champ in Rio, teams up with Anthony Harding for the 3m synchro diving (10am).
It is the semi-finals and final (8.35pm) of the BMX racing with Beth Shriever and Kye Whyte both in contention.
Back-to-back world champion lightweight scullers Emily Craig and Imogen Grant can make amends for Tokyo heartache, missing a medal by 0.01 seconds, by winning gold (11.22am).
Bryony Page will look for a medal in the women’s trampolining, too (12.50pm).
BRITS TO WATCH
In athletics, Dina Asher-Smith has her 100m heat (10.50am), Josh Kerr has his in the 1,500m (10.10am) and then Keely Hodgkinson’s 800m opener is at 6.45pm.
Adam Burgess, Joe Clarke, Mallory Franklin and Kimblery Woods have their time trials for the new kayak cross event (2.30pm).
And it is the team jumping final of the equestrian at 1pm with Team GB in contention.
GLOBAL STARS TODAY
Leon Marchand is taking his home Olympics by storm and can add the 200m individual medley to his growing collection (7.49pm) – and is eyeing a world record, too.
Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda and Ethiopian Selemon Barega will battle it out for the men’s 10,000m gold – the only medal up for grabs on the opening night of the athletics (8.20pm).
FANCY SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
It is the final day of the windsurfing down in Marseille – the new class, iQFoil replaces the old RS:X and makes for brilliant viewing. Emma Wilson could bag a medal.
STATS MAD
154 – French judoxa Teddy Riner is going for a record-equally three individual gold medals in the 100+kg category (4.50pm). He won a staggering 154 contests in a row between September 2010 and February 2020.
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.