Imane Khelif, who was at the center of a bitter debate over whether should—or shouldn’t be allowed to play in women’s sports, won a gold medal in Paris. The Algerian was banned and suspected to have failed gender eligibility tests. But, after getting the chance to participate in Paris, Imane Khelif stunned Chinese world champion Yang Liu by a majority decision over five rounds and won the welterweight gold.
On Friday, there was a crazy situation surrounding the boxing ring. Surprisingly, hundreds of flag-clad, noise-making Khelif fans crowded the roads. Everyone was shouting, cheering, and waving Algerian flags. Hours before Khelif won gold in the women’s welterweight, women arrived at Roland Garros dressed in Algerian flags. They had no interest in boxing. But they reached there only to support the 25-year-old boxer thrust into a global debate over gender identity and sports regulation.
Imane Khelif Steals Huge Win After Backlash
Imane Khelif claimed ‘attacks’ over her gender eligibility gave her victory a ‘special taste’ after winning Olympic gold in women’s boxing a year after being disqualified from the World Championships. “I am fully qualified to take part in this competition,” said 25-year-old Imane Khelif. “I am a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman. I have lived as a woman. I competed as a woman – there is no doubt about that.”
Khelif said she was a victim of “bullying” and that the International Boxing Association (IBA) “hates me and I don’t know why.” Swarms of Algeria supporters waved their green, white, and red flags in the arena, yelling at her to enter the ring. Khelif dominated the fierce fight and was showboating at the end, dancing with the knowledge that she had won before she and Yang had a loving hug.
When the winner was announced, Yang raised Imane Khelif’s arm in the air, in contrast to the events following the Algerian’s first battle against Italy’s Angela Carini. And the new champion was carried around a happy arena on her coach’s shoulders. As the Algerian national song played, Lin and bronze medalists Chen Nien-chin of Chinese Taipei and Thailan’s Janjaem Suwannapheng praised Imane Khelif with tears in their eyes. Massive win for Imane Khelif!
Yang Liu Shows Her Gratitude
As Imane Khelif entered the ring, fans began to gather from surrounding pubs to grab a peek at their countrywoman. Over three rounds. The crowd at Roland-Garros Stadium in Paris yelled her name and cheered when Khelif landed blows on her opponent, China’s Yang Liu, on Friday. In the tight contest, the two alternated who was the aggressor.
As the bell rang to indicate the conclusion of each round, the two boxers politely tapped one other’s gloves. Finally, the judges agreed that Khelif had defeated Yang to earn gold in the 66-kilogram weight class. When it became evident that she had won the battle, the crowd erupted in cries of “Imane, Imane.” Zahia Elza Arrouf, wearing an Algerian scarf, smiled and shouted when Imane Khelif was presented with the gold medal.
“She is a strong woman, a real woman, an Algerian woman,” Zahia said. Her triumph made her the first Arab or African woman to win a boxing gold, and it is only Algeria’s second medal at this year’s Olympics; the other was won by a woman, gymnast Kaylia Nemour, who won the uneven bars final.
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