A New Champion in Women’s Boxing
Imane Khelif is a talented professional boxer from Algeria. She made history by winning the gold medal in the women’s 66 kg welterweight event at the 2024 Summer Olympics. This achievement earned her acclaim as an emerging talent, marking a major career milestone and showcasing her skill and commitment.
Imane Khelif’s impressive win over Angela Carini at the 2024 Olympic Games was followed by a wave of false rumors questioning her gender and eligibility.
These false claims, suggesting Khelif was male, stemmed from her disqualification by the IBA at the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships. The disqualification was based on her alleged failure of gender eligibility tests, though the specifics of those tests remain unclear.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Paris Boxing Unit quickly intervened, reassuring the public that Khelif was fully eligible to compete. They also expressed their disapproval of the IBA’s decision, calling it “sudden and unjustified. Khelif, born female, has shown no medical evidence of XY chromosomes or elevated testosterone levels.
Imane Khelif’s Journey from Childhood to Boxing
Imane Khelif originates from Aïn Sidi Ali, a town in the Laghouat Province. At two months old, her family moved to Biban Mesbah, a peaceful village in Tiaret Province, where she spent her early years.
Imane Khelif’s father revealed that her love for sports began at the young age of six. Initially, she played football, but eventually switched to boxing.
Early in her career, she traveled to Tiaret for training, selling bread and scrap metal to cover the bus fare. Her father, a welder, initially opposed her boxing career, not supporting girls in the sport.
Imane Khelif’s Career
Early Career and Olympic Dreams
At the 2018 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, Imane Khelif placed 17th in the lightweight division after a first-round loss to Karina Ibragimova.
She returned to the 2019 Championships but finished 33rd after a first-round loss to Natalia Shadrina.
Imane Khelif made a career breakthrough by winning the gold medal at the Istanbul Bosphorus International Boxing Tournament in March 2021. In a hard-fought final, she defeated Anastasia Belyakova to claim the top prize in the women’s lightweight division.
Imane Khelif made history as the first Algerian woman to compete in the women’s lightweight boxing event at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
She reached the quarterfinals but was defeated by Kellie Harrington of Ireland. Khelif became the first female boxer to represent Algeria at the Olympics, a groundbreaking achievement for her country.
International Boxing Tournament Final and Key Wins
Imane Khelif achieved a remarkable victory at the Strandja Memorial Tournament, In February 2022. Clinching the gold medal in the women’s 63 kg category. She triumphed over Nataliya Sychugova in a thrilling final to secure the top spot.
In 2022, Imane Khelif proudly served as Algeria’s flagbearer at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. She made history as the first Algerian woman to reach the final after a remarkable victory over Chelsey Heijnen.
Although Amy Broadhurst bested her in the final, finishing as the runner-up remained a monumental achievement. Khelif’s stellar year continued with gold at the Mediterranean Games and African Amateur Boxing Championships, solidifying her as an elite competitor.
Ineligibility for the IBA Championships
At the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in March 2023, Khelif’s journey toward gold took a heartbreaking turn. Just before stepping into the ring for her final face-off against China’s Yang Liu, she was abruptly disqualified, cutting short what could have been a career-defining moment. The Russian-led International Boxing Association (IBA) alleged she had failed unspecified eligibility tests, though no clear details were shared.
The timing was especially bitter, only days earlier, Khelif had handed Russia’s undefeated talent, Azalia Amineva, her first-ever loss. That win was wiped from the records following Khelif’s disqualification, reinstating Amineva’s spotless career. Despite the controversy, the Algerian Olympic Committee maintained that Khelif’s removal was due to medical concerns. In her absence, Uzbekistan’s Navbakhor Khamidova moved up to claim the bronze medal.
In 2023, the boxing world was stunned when IBA president Umar Kremlev announced disqualifications based on DNA tests showing XY chromosomes. However, The Washington Post reported that no clear standards were shared and no evidence proved Khelif or Lin Yu-ting failed any eligibility criteria.
There was never confirmation that Khelif had XY chromosomes or even high testosterone levels.
Meanwhile, the IBA stayed silent about how they conducted the tests, hiding behind the excuse of confidentiality. Feeling betrayed, Khelif spoke out, saying they labeled her for ‘characteristics that mean I can’t box with women,’ calling it a ‘large conspiracy.’
She fought for her right through the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but the court dropped her appeal due to overwhelming legal fees.
The Gender Testing Debate in Boxing
In a bold move on July 31, 2024, the IBA sought to defend its controversial decision from 2023. They explained that Khelif and the others hadn’t undergone testosterone testing but were subjected to another evaluation, the details of which remain secret.
The IBA argued that these athletes had ‘competitive advantages’ over their female counterparts. The next day, the IOC criticized the IBA’s decision as ‘sudden and arbitrary,’ highlighting the lack of due process.
The IOC’s swift and forceful response only intensified the controversy that had already been swirling.
The IBA minutes show that the Secretary General and CEO alone decided to disqualify athletes, with the Board later approving it. To prevent future confusion, the Board called for a structured process to be included in the IBA’s official regulations.
Moreover, the minutes underscored the importance of establishing a clear and transparent framework for gender testing in the future.
Following her disqualification at the IBA Championships, Khelif made an inspiring comeback in July 2023. Just four months later, she proudly represented Algeria at the Arab Games, winning the gold medal in the women’s welterweight.
category. It was a powerful moment of redemption, showcasing not only her resilience but also her unwavering talent on the global stage.
Khelif took a bold step in her career by announcing her move to the professional boxing circuit, In November 2023. Just weeks after, she entered the ring in Singapore for her first professional fight, signaling the beginning of a thrilling new chapter in her journey.
Khelif’s Journey to Gold Medal of Olympic
Khelif’s path shifted in January 2024 when UNICEF appointed her national ambassador, and she started advocating for children’s rights. But her impact didn’t stop there. Just months later, in April, she showcased her undeniable talent at the World Boxing Cup in Pueblo, Colorado.
In the women’s 66 kg category, Khelif delivered an outstanding performance, defeating Emilie Sonvico in a gripping final.
This victory wasn’t just another win; it highlighted her unwavering determination, resilience, and focus in the ring and beyond.
The IOC’s Paris 2024 Boxing Unit managed the boxing events after the IBA’s suspension in 2019 due to leadership issues. Since then, an IOC task force has been in charge of Olympic boxing.
Khelif was allowed to compete in Paris after the IOC confirmed she met all eligibility and medical standards.
Although the IOC doesn’t conduct gender tests, they clarified that Khelif ‘was born female, registered female, lived as a female, boxed as a female, and holds a female passport.’ The IOC also dismissed the IBA’s 2023 letter, deeming the testing process unreliable.
Fighting for Honor
At a press conference in Paris on August 5, 2024, IBA president Umar Kremlev faced confusion after retracting earlier statements about the tests. Initially, the organization had firmly claimed that they performed sex verification tests.
During the conference, Secretary General Chris Roberts mentioned ‘chromosome tests,’ while Kremlev clarified that the tests were designed to assess testosterone levels in athletes.
The narrative continued to unravel as Kremlev lashed out at IOC President Thomas Bach, even hinting at potential legal action. His frustration didn’t stop there—he also slammed the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony, calling it “humiliating.” Amid the controversy, the IBA claimed the tests were conducted in WADA-accredited labs.
But WADA swiftly denied any involvement in sex verification, stressing that their focus remains solely on anti-doping efforts.
Khelif, seeded fifth in the women’s 66 kg (welterweight) category, demonstrated exceptional talent throughout her matches. Her journey kicked off on August 3 with a dominant win over Hungary’s Luca Hámori in the quarterfinals. She kept the momentum in the semifinals on August 6, defeating Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng to secure at least a silver medal. But Khelif had her eyes on the gold. On August 9, in an intense final, she outboxed China’s Yang Liu to claim the top prize.
This victory marked a historic moment for Algeria, as Khelif became the country’s first female boxer to win a gold medal. She also became the first Algerian boxer of any gender to earn a medal since Mohamed Allalou’s achievement in 2000. Additionally, it was Algeria’s first gold medal in boxing since Hocine Soltani’s triumph in 1996.
Khelif’s victory came after enduring relentless public scrutiny, especially regarding her eligibility to compete as a woman. She faced harmful online accusations, including an unfounded rumor that she was a man, promoted by figures like J.K. Rowling.
Refusing to be silenced, Khelif denounced the attacks as degrading and called for an end to athlete harassment. She filed a criminal complaint in France against those involved in the cyberbullying, including Rowling and Elon Musk.
Khelif Takes on Angela Carini in the Second Round
Khelif, seeded fifth, advanced directly to the second round, bypassing the first. On August 1, she squared off against Italy’s Angela Carini. The match took an unexpected turn within just 46 seconds when Khelif’s swift and forceful punches left Carini in agony, ultimately prompting her to withdraw, citing severe pain in her nose.
At a press conference in Paris on August 5, 2024, the IBA, led by president Umar Kremlev, faced confusion as they retracted their earlier statements about the tests. Initially, the organization had firmly claimed that they performed sex verification tests.
During the conference, Secretary General Chris Roberts mentioned ‘chromosome tests,’ while Kremlev clarified that the tests were designed to assess testosterone levels.
The day after the incident, Carini publicly apologized to Khelif through La Gazzetta dello Sport, expressing genuine regret for the drama that had unfolded. She admitted feeling disheartened by the controversy and said, “I’m sorry for my opponent as well. This entire situation has deeply upset me. If the IOC has cleared her to fight, I fully respect that decision.”
In response, the Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) stood firmly behind Khelif, condemning the attacks as “unethical targeting” and “groundless propaganda.”
They reassured everyone that they had taken every necessary measure to protect Khelif’s right to compete and uphold her dignity.
The IOC revealed that Khelif would file a lawsuit against Le Correspondant, a French magazine that published explosive allegations about her eligibility on November 6, 2024. The magazine based its claims on a leaked medical report.
However, the IOC quickly responded, stating they hadn’t verified the referenced documents and couldn’t confirm their origin, intensifying the controversy.
Khelif’s Journey in 2025
Khelif quickly fired back, accusing the IBA of making ‘baseless and hurtful’ claims and trying to damage her reputation with unfounded allegations.
