Imane Khelif won Olympic women's boxing gold a year after being disqualified from the World Championships for reportedly failing a gender eligibility test.
The Algerian, amid a controversy that has overshadowed the boxing events in Paris, beat Chinese world champion Yang Liu by unanimous decision to win the welterweight division.
The 25-year-old was roared to the ring by swathes of Algerian support - who waved their green, white and red flags - and dominated the fight.
She was showboating at the bell, dancing while already knowing the victory was hers, before the pair shared a warm embrace.
"It is my dream. I am very happy," Khelif told the BBC. "It is fantastic. Amazing.
"Eight years of work, no sleep. I want to thank all of the people in Algeria.
"I am very happy for my performance. I am a strong woman."
When the result was confirmed, Yang raised her opponent's arm into the air - a sharp contrast to the scenes after Khelif's opening fight against Italy's Angela Carini - and Khelif was then carried around a jubilant arena on the shoulders of her coach.
Lin Yu-ting, the second boxer banned last year under the same ruling, will fight in her final on Saturday but Khelif's Games - one of the most extraordinary and controversial in recent memory - ended with her standing on top of the podium.
She was applauded by all three of her fellow medallists and there were tears in her eyes as the Algerian anthem was played.
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