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Imane Khelif

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Imane Khelif
Khelif with a medal at a sports competition. She is wearing a backwards cap and athletic wear, smiling towards the camera.
Khelif at the 2023 Arab Games
Born (1999-05-02) 2 May 1999 (age 25)
Tiaret, Algeria
NationalityAlgerian
Statistics
Weight class
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[1]
Total fights51
Wins42 (4 later disqualified)
Wins by KO6
Losses9
Draws0
No contests0
Medal record
Women's amateur boxing
Representing  Algeria
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2022 Istanbul Light welterweight
African Championships
Gold medal – first place 2022 Maputo Light welterweight
Mediterranean Games
Gold medal – first place 2022 Oran Light welterweight
Arab Games
Gold medal – first place 2023 Algiers Welterweight

Imane Khelif (Arabic: إيمان خليف, romanized: ʾĪmān Khalīf; born 2 May 1999) is an Algerian amateur boxer. She represented Algeria in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.[2]

Early life

Khelif grew up in a rural village in Tiaret Province, in northwestern Algeria.[3] She originally played football before switching to boxing. In her early years, she had to commute to a neighboring village to attend training sessions, and sold scrap metal to afford the bus fare.[4] She mentioned that her father initially did not allow her to participate in sports because "he did not approve of girls boxing".[5]

Career

2018–2021: Career beginnings and Olympic debut

At the 2018 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships, Khelif finished 17th after being eliminated in the first round by Karina Ibragimova.[6] At the 2019 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships, she finished 33rd after being eliminated in the first round by Natalia Shadrina.[7]

She represented Algeria in the women's lightweight event at the 2020 Summer Olympics, where she was defeated by Ireland's Kellie Harrington in the quarterfinals.[8][9]

2022: IBA Championships final and boxing successes

At the 2022 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships, Khelif became the first Algerian female boxer to reach the final after defeating Chelsey Heijnen.[10] She was then defeated by Amy Broadhurst in the final and finished runner-up.[11][12] Later that year, Khelif saw further success, winning gold at the Mediterranean Games, the Arab Games, and the African Amateur Boxing Championships.

2022–2023: IBA Championships disqualification

In March 2023, she again reached the final of the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships, but was disqualified shortly before the gold medal bout for failing to meet eligibility criteria. The Algerian Olympic Committee stated that Khelif was disqualified for medical reasons. It was later reported that the disqualification was due to high levels of testosterone in her system.[13][14]

According to International Boxing Association (IBA) president Umar Kremlev, DNA testing of Khelif and other athletes "proved they had XY chromosomes and were thus excluded from the sports events".[15] There are medical conditions that can cause a woman to also have XY chromosomes.[16] Khelif claimed to be the victim of a "big conspiracy" after being disqualified.[17] She made an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport but later withdrew it,[5] making the IBA decision legally binding.[18]

On 31 July 2024, regarding their 2023 decision, the IBA stated that Khelif and others "did not undergo a testosterone examination but were subject to a separate and recognized test, whereby the specifics remain confidential," and that they "were found to have competitive advantages over other female competitors".[19] The following day, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released their own statement in response, claiming that the IBA's decision was "sudden and arbitrary" and "without any due process." They further stated the following:

According to the IBA minutes available on their website, this decision was initially taken solely by the IBA Secretary General and CEO. The IBA Board only ratified it afterwards and only subsequently requested that a procedure to follow in similar cases in the future be established and reflected in the IBA Regulations. The minutes also say that the IBA should "establish a clear procedure on gender testing".[20]

2024: Summer Olympics

In January 2024, Khelif became a UNICEF national ambassador.[5][21]

The IBA was banned from organizing the 2024 Summer Olympics boxing tournament in Paris due to governance issues and judging scandals. As a result, the boxing events in Paris were managed by the IOC’s Paris 2024 Boxing Unit.[22] The IOC, using different rules from the IBA, cleared Khelif to compete in Paris, confirming that she complied with all necessary eligibility and medical regulations for the event.[14][23] The IOC noted that Khelif was a woman according to her passport and stated that all athletes competing in Paris comply with the competition's eligibility and entry regulations.[20][18]

In the second round of the women's welterweight event, she defeated Angela Carini of Italy in 46 seconds after Carini withdrew, citing intense pain in her nose.[24] Khelif is scheduled to fight Luca Hámori of Hungary in the quarterfinals on 3 August.[25]

During her performance in the Olympics, Khelif received a wave of online backlash from those who falsely claimed she was a transgender woman.[26][27] Public figures known for their strong views on transgender issues, such as J.K. Rowling, Richard Dawkins, and Elon Musk, falsely claimed Khelif was a "man".[28][29] criticized Khelif and the IOC on social media.[30][31][32] In Algeria, gender transition is illegal.[33] The Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) defended Khelif, denouncing what they called "unethical targeting" and "baseless propaganda" against her. The COA emphasized that they have taken all necessary measures to protect Khelif and reaffirmed her right to compete.[34]

References

  1. ^ "Boxing record for Imane Khelif". BoxRec.
  2. ^ "Imane Khelif". Olympics. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  3. ^ Armelli, Paolo. "The Shameful Controversy Over Olympic Boxer Imane Khelif". Wired. Born in 1999 in Tiaret, Algeria, Khelif has been boxing since she was a child and has always competed in women's categories.
  4. ^ Ayisi, Ruth (8 March 2024). "A top female boxer, Imane Khelif, dreams of gold to inspire young people". UNICEF. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Paris 2024: Algeria condemn 'baseless attacks' on boxer". BBC Sport. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  6. ^ "AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships 2018 Women's Light (57-60kg) Draw Sheet" (PDF). Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  7. ^ "AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships 2019 Women's Light W60 kg Draw Sheet" (PDF). Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur. 13 October 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Harrington guaranteed medal after reaching -60kg semis". BBC Sport. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Tokyo 2020: Harrington guarantees medal with Khelif win". RTÉ. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  10. ^ Bachir, Kenza (18 May 2022). "Imane Khelif en finale des Mondiaux de boxe: Historique !". Interlignes. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Le Président Tebboune félicite Imane Khelif, sacrée vice-championne du monde de boxe". El Moudjahid (in French). 20 May 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Boxer in gender row Khelif wins fight in 46 seconds". RTÉ. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  13. ^ Chakraborty, Amlan (26 March 2023). "Two disqualified for failing to meet eligibility criteria at world champs". Reuters. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Boxers Lin and Khelif cleared for Olympics". BBC News. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  15. ^ Sean, Ingle (30 July 2024). "Boxers who failed gender tests at world championships cleared to compete at Olympics". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Caso Khelif, il medico: "Non è transgender. L'ok del Cio va rispettato: non arriva su basi ideologiche"". Gazzetta (in Italian). 1 August 2024.
  17. ^ Ingle, Sean (29 July 2024). "Boxers who failed gender tests at world championships cleared to compete at Olympics". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  18. ^ a b Ingle, Sean (1 August 2024). "Angela Carini abandons Olympic fight after 46 seconds against Imane Khelif". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Statement made by the International Boxing Association regarding Athletes Disqualifications in World Boxing Championships 2023". International Boxing Association. 31 July 2024. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Joint Paris 2024 Boxing Unit/IOC Statement". Olympics. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  21. ^ Ayisi, Ruth. "A top female boxer, Imane Khelif, dreams of gold to inspire young people". UNICEF.
  22. ^ Ingle, Sean (29 July 2024). "Boxers who failed gender tests at world championships cleared to compete at Olympics". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  23. ^ Nair, Aadi (29 July 2024). "Boxing-Two boxers who failed gender tests at World Championships cleared for Games". Reuters. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  24. ^ Ouzia, Malik (1 August 2024). "Olympics 2024: Boxer Angela Carini quits after 46 seconds against Imane Khelif amid eligibility row". msn. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  25. ^ "Algeria boxer in Olympic gender row wins in 46 seconds as Italian PM hits out". RFI. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  26. ^ Sharf, Zack (1 August 2024). "J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk Criticize Olympics After Algeria's Imane Khelif Wins Women's Boxing Match Amid Gender Controversy: 'A Misogynist Sporting Establishment'". Variety. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  27. ^ Ford, Lily (1 August 2024). "J.K. Rowling Misgenders Female Olympian as Boxing Controversy Unfolds in Paris". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  28. ^ "La Boxeuse Imane Khelif face à une campagne médiatique de déstabilisation". Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  29. ^ "J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk Criticize Olympics After Algeria's Imane Khelif Wins Women's Boxing Match Amid Gender Controversy: 'A Misogynist Sporting Establishment'". Yahoo Sports. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  30. ^ Armelli, Paolo. "The Shameful Controversy Over Olympic Boxer Imane Khelif". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  31. ^ Cauterucci, Christina (1 August 2024). "What's Going On With the Two Women Boxers Who "Failed" a Gender Test". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  32. ^ Frank, Jason P. (1 August 2024). "What's Going On in Olympic Boxing?". Vulture. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  33. ^ McNamara, Brittney (1 August 2024). "The Olympics Make It Clear How Much People Still Fear Powerful Women". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  34. ^ "Paris 2024: Algeria condemn 'baseless attacks' on boxer". BBC Sport. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
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