Imane Khelif Wins Historic Welterweight Medal Amid Controversy

Imane Khelif, whose gender eligibility has sparked controversy, earned a welterweight medal at the Paris Olympics by defeating Hungarian Luca Anna Hamori. The 25-year-old Algerian faced significant scrutiny after the International Boxing Association (IBA) banned her from last year’s World Championships due to failed gender eligibility tests. Despite this, Khelif competed in Paris, won by unanimous decision and made history as the first Algerian woman to claim an Olympic boxing medal.

Khelif, who previously won a bout in just 46 seconds, fought the full three rounds against Hamori and received a warm reception from her Algerian supporters. After the fight, Khelif expressed her joy and gratitude, saying, “It’s the first medal in women’s boxing in Algeria – I’m very happy.” Hamori, who had expressed concerns about the fairness of Khelif’s participation, still praised the fight’s spirit and wished Khelif well.

Both fighters shared an embrace at the end of the match. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune congratulated Khelif on social media and pledged support regardless of future outcomes. Imane Khelif will face Janjaem Suwannapheng in the next round and even if she loses, she will return from Paris with a bronze medal. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has supported Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting amid the debate.

IOC President Thomas Bach stated there was “never any doubt” about their gender. The IBA which disqualified Khelif for not meeting eligibility criteria, plans to explain its decision in a press conference. Yacine Arab from the Algeria National Olympic Committee, dismissed the controversy as a “joke” and confirmed that Khelif had undergone all necessary tests and was verified as female.