Who is Imane Khelif? Meet Algerian boxer at the heart of Paris 2024 gender controversy

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is currently involved in a controversy over her gender eligibility to compete in Paris 2024. The situation escalated after she won a match against an Italian female boxer at the Paris Olympics on August 1 in just 46 seconds.

Here’s the story behind Imane Khelif and the controversy she’s caught up in.

Imane Khelif was born in 1999 and she grew up in a small village in Tiaret, western Algeria, where she played football as a kid. She later discovered boxing at age 16, after learning to defend herself against local boys who would try to hit her.

Khelif’s father was initially opposed to her boxing, but she defied his disapproval by leaving football behind as a teenager to chase her newfound passion.

Her determination led her to commute 10 kilometers to the gym every day, showcasing her unwavering commitment to the sport and today, she’s a UNICEF ambassador and a successful boxer.

Khelif entered the international boxing scene at 19, competing in the 2018 World Championships and finished 17th. The tournament was held by the International Boxing Association (IBA, then called AIBA).

Imane Khelif continued to compete at the highest level, finishing 19th at the 2019 Women’s World Boxing Championships. She then went on to participate in the 2020 Olympics, where she reached the quarterfinals before being defeated by Ireland’s Kellie Harrington.

Also read: 

FIFA ranking: Spain, England move up, Nigeria drops… see full list

Bathed by Lionel Messi as a baby: Meet Lamine Yamal, Spain’s wonderkid at 2024 EURO

Imane Khelif achieved significant success in 2022, winning silver at the Women’s World Boxing Championships after losing to Amy Broadhurst in the final. She then went on to win gold medals at the African Championships, Mediterranean Games, and Arab Games in 2022 and 2023.

Imane Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 championships before her gold medal match due to concerns about her gender eligibility. The International Boxing Association (IBA) President, Umar Kremlev, explained that DNA tests revealed Khelif has XY chromosomes, indicating she is biologically male, and therefore was not allowed to compete as a woman.

Imane Khelif boasts an impressive amateur record of 37 wins and 9 losses, with 5 of those wins coming by way of knockout. She has been on a winning streak since her last loss to Broadhurst in May 2022, although her matches in the 2023 World Championships were deemed unofficial due to circumstances surrounding her competition.

Her next match is in the semi-finals of the women’s 66kg boxing event at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, August 6. She will face off against Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand at 9:34pm, marking a crucial step towards a potential Olympic medal.

Read also: How Nigeria can qualify for 2026 W/Cup after draw with South Africa