Imane Khelif Wins Gold At The 2024 Paris Olympics, Firm Response To Gender Controversy

Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif, won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics (photo: x @heraldo_fiable)

JAKARTA - The Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif, won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the women's welterweight category, after defeating Chinese boxer Yang Liu, in a stunning final match. Khhelif, who previously won silver at the 2022 World Championships, was in the spotlight after being involved in a controversy over gender identity, but gave a firm answer through this victory.

Khelif's victory was unanimously decided by the judges, making her the first Algerian woman to win the Olympic boxing title, as well as the first boxer from his country to win gold since Hocine Soltani at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Women's boxing itself has only been contested at the Olympics since London 2012.

"This is my dream. Eight years, my dream. I am very happy. Eight years of hard work, sleepless, and tired. Now I am Olympic champion," said Khelif emotionally. "This gold medal is the best answer to the hard campaign aimed at me."

Khelif also responded to the controversy surrounding her firmly, "I am a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman and lived as a woman, but there are enemies who cannot accept my success."

The match took place with heated atmospheres on the Philippe Chatrier field at Roland Garros, where enthusiastic spectators supported Khelif with shouts and cheers. His opponent, Yang Liu, was even ridiculed by some of the audience when he entered the arena.

Khelif, who from the start controlled the match with the right jab and hook, was able to dominate the match until he finally won confidently. After the match, he was picked up by his team around the arena while receiving cheers from the audience.

The song 'Abdelkader' from the cult album "1.2,3 Soleil" also reverberated, adding to the lively atmosphere at the stadium when Khelif was shadow-boxing at the audience. The sound of lulullations that are usually heard at weddings and celebrations in the Arab world echoed throughout the arena before the Algerian national anthem was played.

Khelif, along with three other winners, then hugged each other on the podium in a moment full of happiness.

This victory became a symbol of Khelif's determination amid controversy, where previously he and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) because of the disputed gender test results. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rejected the test results and continued to allow Khelif to compete in the Paris Olympics.

The 2024 Paris Olympics are a stage for Khelif to show his talents and determination, providing inspiration to many people around the world.