Controversial boxer Imane Khelif caps off Olympics run with a gold medal

Algeria’s Imane Khelif won an Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics after a controversial path through the competition.

The 25-year-old Khelif defeated Chinese boxer Yang Liu in the women’s welterweight finals on Friday in Paris. She wrapped up an unbeaten run at the 2024 Summer Olympics with a gold medal, despite many calling for her disqualification after failing a gender eligibility test in 2023.

“I’m very happy. For eight years, this has been my dream and I’m now the Olympic champion and gold medallist,” Khelif said after the win. “I’ve worked for eight years, no sleep, eight years tired. Now I’m Olympic champion…

“I want to thank all the people who have come to support me. All the people from Algeria and all the people at my base. I want to thank all the team, my coach. Thank you so much.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

Khelif was at the center of controversy in recent weeks over her qualification for the Olympics despite testing positive for XY chromosomes (male) at the 2023 World Championships. She reportedly suffers from Swyer Syndrome, a rare condition in which people have an XY chromosome despite having female sexual organs.

Imane Khelif shushes detractors after winning Olympic gold

Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting have been the subjects of scathing criticism on social media amidst speculation about their sexes. Despite the speculation, the International Olympic Committee permitted both fighters to compete.

Khelif made headlines when she forced her opening Olympics opponent, Italy’s Angela Carini, to retire in just 46 seconds after a swarm of devastating strikes. She defeated Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng to reach the gold medal match.

Khelif called for the bullying against her and Yu-Ting to stop earlier in her 2024 Olympics run. IOC president Thomas Bach also recently came out with a statement dismissing any speculation about their gender eligibility.