Algerian boxer Imane Khelif had an emphatic response after winning her quarter final bout.
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif had an emphatic four-word response after clinching a medal in the Olympics following following the fierce debate regarding her participation.
After seeing Angela Carini of Italy withdraw just 46 seconds into their fight after she was caught with two punches which she said were the “hardest’ she had ever been hit with, Khelif became the talk of the town on social media.
Mass information falsely stating she was transgender spread online like wildfire and prompted the IOC (International Olympic Committee) to issue multiple statements addressing the matter.
Khelif’s father, Omar, was also forced to leap to his daughter’s defence and confirm she was born a female such was the backlash.
Khelif was banned by the International Boxing Association after the governing body said she and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting failed gender eligibility tests and “have XY chromosomes” but it is the Paris Boxing Unit (PBU) overseeing proceedings currently and they allowed both to compete as they did three years ago in Tokyo.
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In her second appearance in between the ropes in Paris, Khelif took on Hungarian Anna Luca Hamor in the women’s welterweight quarter final and put on a clinic.
Despite being docked a point for excessive holding, Khelif won unanimously on the judges’ scorecards after controlling the 66kg fight.
She showed great sportsmanship with her opponent afterwards, sharing an embrace before opening up the ropes for her to exit the ring.
The 25-year-old then celebrated passionately with her coaches before crying tears of joy.
After the outpouring of emotion, Khelif had a simple but effective statement for the media.
As per The Telegraph, she said, “I am a woman” – responding to the criticism and uproar she has had to contend with over the last few days.
Seeded fifth going into the competition, Khelif is guaranteed a medal and takes on Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand in Tuesday’s semi final.
