Algerian boxer Imane Khelif emerged victorious in the women’s welterweight (66kg) final at the Paris Olympics 2024, capping off a tumultuous campaign marked by intense scrutiny over her gender.
Imane Khelif defeated China’s Yang Liu 5-0 in a dominant performance to claim Algeria’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in women’s boxing.
Throughout the Olympics, Khelif faced a barrage of online abuse and misconceptions about her womanhood.
The controversy stemmed from the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) decision to disqualify Khelif and fellow boxer Li Yu-ting of Taiwan from the 2023 World Championships based on arbitrary eligibility tests.
Despite the International Olympic Committee (IOC) permanently banning the IBA from the Olympics due to governance issues, the backlash against Khelif continued, fueled by Russian disinformation campaigns.
However, the 24-year-old remained undeterred, stating, “I’m fully qualified to take part in this competition. I’m a woman like any other woman. I was born as a woman, I live as a woman, and I am qualified.”
Dominant Performance in Paris
Khelif’s gold medal bout against Yang Liu was the culmination of an impressive run in Paris. She won every round on every judge’s scorecard in each of her three fights that went the distance, showcasing her skill and determination.
In the final, Khelif won the first round despite showing slightly less aggression than earlier in the tournament. She then knocked Yang back against the ropes with a combination in the second round, although Yang fought back gamely.
Khelif cruised through the third round, doing a triumphant boxer’s shuffle in the final seconds before the boxers embraced.
Historic Achievement for Algeria
Khelif’s gold medal is Algeria’s first in women’s boxing and only the nation’s second boxing gold medal overall, after Hocine Soltani’s victory in 1996. It is also Algeria’s seventh gold medal in Olympic history.
The victory has made Khelif a hero in her home country, where many have seen the world’s scrutiny of her as criticism of the nation. In her hometown of Tiaret, workers braved scorching summer heat to paint a mural of Khelif on the gym where she learned to box.
Imane Khelif’s Message to the World
After her historic win, Khelif expressed her hope that the attacks on her femininity would not be repeated in future Olympics. “We are in the Olympics to perform as athletes, and I hope that we will not see any similar attacks in future Olympics,” she said.
Imane Khelif’s gold medal triumph serves as a powerful message of resilience and a testament to her skill and determination as an athlete. Her victory has not only made history for Algeria but also shone a light on the importance of inclusivity and respect in sports.
