Attacks over gender make gold sweeter – Khelif
Imane Khelif remarked that the “attacks” on her gender eligibility gave her victory a “special taste” after clinching Olympic women’s boxing gold, just a year after being disqualified from the World Championships.
The Algerian had been banned and reported to have failed gender eligibility tests. However, she was permitted to compete in Paris, where she defeated Chinese world champion Yang Liu by unanimous decision over five rounds to win welterweight gold.
“I am fully qualified to compete in this event,” declared the 25-year-old Khelif. “I am a woman just like any other woman. I was born a woman, I have lived as a woman, and I have competed as a woman—there is no doubt about that.”
Khelif described herself as a victim of “bullying” and expressed confusion over the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) apparent hostility towards her.
In the arena, she was cheered on by a large contingent of Algerian supporters waving their green, white, and red flags. Khelif dominated the bout, celebrating with showmanship as she danced to the final bell, secure in her victory, before sharing a warm embrace with Yang.
When the result was confirmed, Yang raised Khelif’s arm in the air – a contrast to the scenes after the Algerian’s opening fight against Italy’s Angela Carini – and the new champion was then carried around a jubilant arena on the shoulders of her coach.
Lin Yu-ting, who was also banned last year under the same ruling, will fight Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in the featherweight final on Saturday.
Khelif had tears in her eyes and was applauded by Lin and bronze medallists Chen Nien-chin of Chinese Taipei and Thailan’s Janjaem Suwannapheng as the Algerian national anthem was played.
