Khelif beats Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng by unanimous decision to have a shot at winning gold in Friday’s final.
Defiant Afghan refugee Manizha Talash fled the Taliban for her chance to dance on the world stage.
The model turned actress runs a scholarship fund to help young women get an education and make their mark.
Rights groups say the traditional practice that seeks to protect girls from sexual predators is a form of mutilation.