Algeria's Imane Khelif found herself at the centre of controversy at the biggest sporting extravaganza on planet earth, the Olympics. The controversy started when Italy's Angela Carini walked out of the fight after just 46 seconds. Angela was inconsolable and fell on his knees as Imane moved to the next round. After the bout, the social media came to rescue and bashed Imane without checking facts. Many renowned personalities too joined and backed Angela’s decision to quit. However, Imane silenced everyone who had misconceptions about her gender and won the gold medal at Paris Olympics.
On August 9, she beat China's Yang Liu 5-0 in the final of women's welterweight division to win her country's second gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Her coaches were elated and put her on their shoulders for the victory lap.
With the gold medal around her neck, 25-year-old Imane responded to widespread criticism and online abuse she faced in the past week.
“I am a woman like any woman. I was born a woman and I have lived as a woman but there are enemies to success and they can’t digest my success,” she said in the press conference.
Imane created history as she became the first Algerian woman to win gold medal. Also, she became the first boxer since Hocine Soltani (Atlanta Olympics 1996) to claim gold for her country.
“This is my dream. Eight years, my dream. I’m Olympic champion, gold medallist. I’m very happy. Eight years, I work,” she said.
“Eight years, no sleep. Eight years, tired. Now I’m Olympic champion. I’m very happy. I want to thank all the people come to support me. People, Algeria, and all the people, Paris.
“This gold medal is the best answer to the fierce campaign against me.”
Imane commands respect
The win comes a year after International Boxing Association (IBA) deemed her and double world champion Yu-ting ineligible were after a gender test.
She also earned disrespect from her final opponent Yang who said, “I’m happy for her. I respect everybody and I will even learn from her (boxing wise).”
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