Imane Khelif

Imane Khelif is an Algerian professional boxer who has achieved significant milestones in her career, particularly in the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Early Life and Career

Imane Khelif was born on May 2, 1999, in Aïn Sidi Ali, Laghouat Province, Algeria. Her family moved to Biban Mesbah, a rural village in Tiaret Province, when she was two months old. Khelif developed an interest in sports at a young age, initially playing football before switching to boxing. Despite her father's initial disapproval of boxing for girls, she persevered and had to commute to Tiaret for training sessions, often selling bread and scrap metal to afford the bus fare2.

Achievements

• 2018-2021: Khelif participated in several international competitions, including the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships and the Istanbul Bosphorus International Boxing Tournament, where she won a gold medal in the women's lightweight event in 2021. She represented Algeria at the 2020 Summer Olympics, becoming the first female boxer to do so, although she was defeated in the quarterfinals by Ireland's Kellie Harrington2.
• 2022: Khelif won gold medals at the Strandja Memorial Tournament, the Mediterranean Games, and the African Amateur Boxing Championships. She also became the first Algerian female boxer to reach the final at the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships, where she finished as a runner-up2.
• 2024: Khelif turned professional in November 2023 and had her first professional fight in Singapore. In January 2024, she was appointed as a UNICEF national ambassador. She won the gold medal in the women's 66 kg (welterweight) event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, defeating Yang Liu of China in the final. This victory made her Algeria's first female gold medalist in boxing and the country's first boxer to win a medal since 200024.

Controversy and Misinformation

Khelif faced significant controversy and misinformation during the 2024 Olympics, particularly after her victory over Italy's Angela Carini. Despite being a cisgender woman, she was subjected to transphobic rhetoric and false claims about her gender, including accusations that she is a man. These claims were promoted by high-profile figures such as J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk. Khelif and the Algerian Olympic Committee denounced these claims, and Khelif filed a criminal complaint in France against those responsible for the cyberbullying23.

Advocacy and Recognition

Khelif's achievements have been recognized by various organizations, including UNICEF, which she represents as a national ambassador. Her case has also been highlighted by advocacy groups such as GLAAD and interACT to address the misinformation and transphobia she faced, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and non-discrimination in sports3.