Imane Khelif, the 25-year-old Algerian boxer, has clinched the gold medal in the female welterweight division at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, despite the ongoing controversy that has shadowed Khelif’s journey.
🚨BREAKING: Imane Khelif (XY) dominated World Champion Lang Liu (XX) to win an Olympic gold medal.
Let me repeat that: a MALE has taken a WOMAN’S Olympic gold.
This is what they call this “progress.” It’s the ultimate betrayal of fairness, safety, and women by @iocmedia [1]. pic.twitter.com/pHw1Ve4uTF [2]
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) August 9, 2024 [3]
On Friday, Khelif defeated China’s Yang Liu by unanimous decision, securing the top spot in the weight class. Khelif dominated the first two rounds, setting up Khelif for a celebration after the third.
RETWEET! The IOC has failed women.
A male boxer is now the female Olympic champion.
Imane Khelif beats Yang Liu.
Male power smashes female talent#Paris2024 [4] #ImaneKhelif [5]#xx [6] pic.twitter.com/mtgRBZ1kl8 [7]— FairPlayForWomen (@fairplaywomen) August 9, 2024 [8]
Khelif’s Olympic success comes against the backdrop of a significant controversy that began last year.
Khelif and Lin Yu-ting faced disqualification from the world championships due to a gender test administered by the International Boxing Association. Yu-ting, who will compete for a gold medal in a different weight division on Saturday, has criticized the test as “false” and claimed it did not adhere to proper standards.
Despite this, Khelif remained focused. Earlier in the week, Khelif dismissed the controversy, emphasizing a desire to showcase talent and entertain fans. “I wish to be ready and show a good standard, show my talent, because I want to entertain everyone,” Khelif told reporters.