Algerian boxer Imane Khelif.

Imane Khelif of Algeria has achieved a historic victory by winning the gold medal in the women’s 66 kg boxing division at the 2024 Paris Olympics. On Friday, Khelif defeated world champion Yang Liu of China, securing a major milestone in her career. However, her path to this success was fraught with challenges, particularly regarding misconceptions about her gender.

Khelif, despite being born a biological female, has XY chromosomes due to a rare condition. This led to her disqualification from last year’s World Championships by the now-barred International Boxing Association (IBA), alongside Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed both athletes to compete in the 2024 Olympics.

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Imane Khelif’s training session amidst controversy over 46-second Olympic bout

This decision turned out to be crucial for Khelif, who not only participated but also clinched the gold, becoming Algeria’s first Olympic gold medalist in women’s boxing and the first boxer from her country to win gold since 1996.

Khelif’s victory has resonated widely, especially within the Arab and Muslim communities. Slim Albaher, a boxer and influencer of Yemeni descent, took to social media to celebrate her win. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “The World tried accusing her of being a man. So God made her win the Gold medal!” Albaher continued, “Congrats to Imane Khelif on becoming the Women’s boxing welterweight Olympic Champion. The Arab/Muslim world is so proud.”

Khelif overcomes gender criticism

Despite the accolades, not everyone has embraced Khelif’s success. Some social media users continue to challenge her gender, with comments like “That’s a dude bro. L” and “Congrats to him!” However, these online criticisms stand in stark contrast to the overwhelming support she received during the games.

The Algerian diaspora, along with French supporters, passionately backed Khelif during her matches. The atmosphere was electric during her final bout, with the 15,000-strong crowd chanting “Imane! Imane!” from the moment she appeared in the ring.

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After her gold medal win, Khelif addressed the controversy surrounding her gender identity with unwavering confidence. “I am fully qualified to take part in this competition. I’m a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I lived a woman, I competed as a woman,” she stated. She also described her critics as “enemies of success,” adding that their attacks have made her victory even more meaningful.

Khelif’s journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics was marked by adversity, but her resilience and determination led her to a historic victory. Her triumph not only represents a personal achievement but also stands as a proud moment for Algeria and the broader Arab and Muslim communities.