Imane Khelif clinched Olympic gold in women’s boxing at the Paris 2024 Games, a year after being disqualified from the World Championships due to reportedly failing a gender eligibility test.
The 25-year-old Algerian fighter secured a unanimous decision victory over Chinese world champion Yang Liu in the welterweight division, a triumph that came amid controversy and scrutiny.
Khelif, buoyed by a fervent crowd of Algerian supporters, dominated the match from start to finish. She celebrated with visible confidence, dancing in the ring before the final bell rang, certain of her victory.
When the result was announced, Yang graciously lifted Khelif’s arm in recognition of her opponent’s skill, a stark contrast to the tension seen in earlier bouts. Khelif’s coach later hoisted her on his shoulders, parading her around the arena in a moment of pure elation.
“It’s my dream. I am very happy,” Khelif told the BBC. “Eight years of work, no sleep. I want to thank all of the people in Algeria. I am a strong woman.”
Khelif’s journey to gold has been controversial, with many in the boxing community questioning her participation due to the previous disqualification. The situation intensified after Italian boxer Angela Carini quit their bout after just 46 seconds, which helped to turn public sentiment against the Algerian. Carini later apologised for her actions.
Despite the backlash, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) defended Khelif’s right to compete, with President Thomas Bach emphasizing the complexity of gender eligibility in sports.
