- Algerian boxer Imane Khelif secured the gold medal in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics.
- Dominating her opponent, China’s Yang Liu, with a flawless 5-0 victory in the 66kg final, Khelif etched her name in history as Algeria’s first-ever women’s boxing champion
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has made history by clinching the gold medal in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics, triumphing over China’s Yang Liu with a decisive 5-0 victory in the 66kg final. This achievement marks Algeria’s first gold in women’s boxing and the first for an Arab nation.
Khelif’s path to gold began with a stunning 46-second victory over Italy’s Angela Carini in the Round of 16, which reignited debates about her gender eligibility after she was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships due to a gender test. She then dominated her quarterfinal against Hungary’s Anna Hamori and secured her final spot by defeating Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng.
Born in Tiaret, Algeria, Khelif transitioned from football to boxing in her teens, overcoming financial hardships to train. She previously competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has a record of 43 wins, nine losses, and seven KOs.
In her post-bout comments, Imane Khelif expressed immense pride in her hard work, stating, “I am very happy… I’ve dedicated eight years to prepare for these Olympics.” She addressed the bullying she faced, emphasizing the importance of Olympic principles: “My message is to commit to Olympic principles and avoid bullying.”
Khelif firmly reaffirmed her gender identity, declaring, “I am fully qualified to take part in this competition. I’m a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I lived a woman, I competed as a woman. There’s no doubt about that.” She recounted the harsh online attacks, stating, “The attacks I heard on social media were extremely bad… they impact the dignity of people.”
The 25-year-old hopes her journey inspires change, saying, “I think that the whole world now knows the story of Imane Khelif. I was born and raised in poor neighborhoods, but my family was always proud of me.”
Her journey reflects resilience and determination, serving as an inspiration for women in sports worldwide.
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