Algerian boxer Imane Khelif strides into the final of the 2024 Olympics
She is one step closer to the Olympic gold medal.
Imane Khelif defeated Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng in the semi final. Photograph: Matthew Stockman via Imane Khelif's Instagram
Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer at the center of a major gender controversy at the Paris Olympics, has secured a place in the final. Khelif triumphed over Thailand’s 2023 world silver medalist Janjaem Suwannapheng in a unanimous points decision, taking her to Friday’s final in the women’s 66kg category. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, who was also entangled in the gender controversy, will fight in the semi-final in featherweight later today.
Khelif and Lin, who both participated in the Tokyo Olympics without controversy or medals, faced disqualification from the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships after allegedly failing gender eligibility tests from the International Boxing Association (IBA). The IBA claimed that the gender test indicated “competitive advantages over other female competitors.” However, IBA was banned from the Olympics and the two boxers were cleared to compete in Paris.
Khelif received last night’s loudest cheers as she entered the arena at Roland Garros, which was filled with enthusiastic fans waving Algerian flags and chanting “Imane, Imane” before and during the bout.
Janjaem endured a standing count in the third round before succumbing to the power of the Algerian fighter. The match concluded with friendly greetings and a handshake between the two boxers, followed by Khelif entertaining the crowd with a joyful dance in the ring.
The gender controversy surrounding Khelif sparked when her opening bout with Italy’s Angela Carini ended abruptly at just 46 seconds after Carini quit. This fueled a wave of speculation about Khelif’s gender, along with accusations that she may have an unfair genetic or hormonal advantage over other women. Defending herself in an interview, Khelif said “I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympics principles, according to the Olympics charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes because this thing has effects, massive effects. It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit, and mind. And it can divide people.”
IBA’s Umar Kremlev stirred the controversy further claiming that both Khelif and Lin had “genetic testing that shows that these are men.” In response, the IOC defended the two boxers, with President Thomas Bach affirming that they were born and raised as women, holding passports to prove their gender.
Imane Khelif will face China’s Yang Liu in the final for the Olympic gold medal on August 10th.
