Imane Khelif made history by winning Olympic women’s boxing gold, just a year after being disqualified from the World Championships due to a gender eligibility test.
The Algerian boxer, whose journey has been marred by controversy, triumphed over Chinese world champion Yang Liu by unanimous decision in the welterweight division.
The 25-year-old Khelif was greeted with overwhelming support as she entered the ring, with a sea of Algerian flags waving in the stands. Throughout the fight, she dominated her opponent, showcasing her skills and confidence. By the final bell, Khelif was already celebrating, dancing in the ring, fully aware that victory was hers. The match concluded with a warm embrace between the two boxers, underscoring the sportsmanship between them.
“It is my dream. I am very happy,” Khelif shared with the BBC after her victory. “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.”
Khelif’s win marks an extraordinary comeback, especially given the controversy surrounding her disqualification last year. When the result was confirmed, Yang graciously raised Khelif’s arm in recognition of her triumph—a stark contrast to the tension that followed Khelif’s earlier bout against Italy’s Angela Carini. The victorious Khelif was then hoisted onto the shoulders of her coach, carried around the arena to the cheers of jubilant supporters.
Her victory is particularly poignant as it comes just days before another boxer, Lin Yu-ting, who was also banned under the same gender eligibility ruling, fights in her own final. Khelif’s journey, fraught with challenges, has culminated in one of the most memorable and controversial moments in recent Olympic history.
As Khelif stood atop the podium, her fellow medallists applauded her, and tears welled in her eyes as the Algerian national anthem played, marking the pinnacle of a remarkable and hard-fought victory.
Follow us on:
