Boxer Imane Khelif wins gold medal: Algerian is Olympic champion after controversy (2025)

PARIS – Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, targeted in a “gender eligibility’’ controversy at these Games, etched her name into Olympic history Friday night.

She’s now a gold medalist.

Khelif, 25, beat China’s Yang Liu in the women’s welterweight finals at Roland-Garros Stadium, capping a turbulent experience at the Olympics.

"I’m very happy. For eight years, this has been my dream and I’m now the Olympic champion and gold medallist," Khelif said. "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."

2024 Paris Olympics: Follow USA TODAY’s coverage of the biggest names and stories of the Games.

Thousands of Algerian fans remained to cheer as Khelif received her gold medal. After it was draped around her neck, she shook her fists in the air as the crowd rose for the national anthem. After a spirited rendition, Khelif put the gold medal between her teeth as she and the other medalists posed for pictures. She was in no hurry to leave the ring or end the celebration. But eventually she exits, the last to vacate what has been her sanctuary during these Olympics. The blessed boxing ring.

Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting have been subjected to abuse on social media and inaccurate media speculation about their sexes even though the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said they both have met all criteria and that there’s no question they are women.

The Russian-backed International Boxing Association brought the issue to the surface last week. The IBA, which is not recognized by the IOC and has no role in Olympic boxing, stripped Lin (gold) and Khelif (bronze) of their 2023 World Championship medals after the organization claimed they failed gender eligibility tests. The IOC and others have raised concerns about the veracity of those tests.

While the issue raged, the two boxers continued to excel in the ring.

Khelif won all four of her bouts at the Olympics.

Lin, 28, fights for gold Saturday against Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in women’s featherweight (126 pounds) division. Lin has won all three of her bouts on points by unanimious decision.

Boxer Imane Khelif wins gold medal: Algerian is Olympic champion after controversy (1)

Khelif, 25, won her opening bout when Italy’s Angela Carini quit 46 seconds into the match in the round of 16. She won on points by unanimous decision in the quarterfinals against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori and in the semifinals against Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng.

Round 3: Khelif wins a gold medal

Khelif fighting off her back foot as Liu stalks. Is this an attempt to protect her lead on the scorecards? Liu still stalking but not unloading punches. Khelif keeping her at bay with the jab and proving elusive. The chants of “Imane’’ fill the arena again. Khelif dancing as the final bell rings and the crowd roars.

Round 2: Khelif wins first two rounds

Bell rings and you know what’s next: the chants of “Imane!’’ Liu lands a hard left, showing aggression now. But Khelif lands a solid shot and exchanges ensue. Again, all five judges award the round to Khelif.

Round 1: Khelif takes it

The chants start seconds after the bell rings. “Imane, Imane, Imane!” Boxers tangle at the center of the ring, but a sluggish start here. Khelif lands a jab, and the Algerians are singing as Khelif scores again with the jab. Then lands a nice combination with Liu on the ropes! Decibel levels climbing and all five judges award the round to Khelif.

Imane Khelif makes entrance

Massive applause as Khelif emerges wearing red. No question who the crowd favorite will be in the 15,000-seat capacity boxing venue at Roland-Garros Stadium. Some boos rain down as her opponent enters.

At last, the boxing resumes

With two medal ceremonies complete, it’s back to boxing. First up: the men’s heavyweight final. Then, Imane Khelif fighting for gold.

How many rounds are Olympic bouts?

Bouts are scheduled for three rounds and are scored by five judges. Using a 10-point system, each judge awards 10 points to the boxer they deem won the round and at least nine points to the boxer they deem lost the round.

Barring a stoppage, the winner of the bout will be determined by points based on the judges' scorecards. A boxer earns one point for each judge who deems the boxer has won at least two of the three rounds.

IOC to make a call on boxing's future next year

A decision onboxing's inclusion at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has to be made in 2025, IOC president Thomas Bach said on Friday.

Theboxingcompetition at the Paris Olympics is being run by the IOC after it stripped the InternationalBoxingAssociation (IBA) of recognition last year over its failure to implement reforms on governance and finance.

The IOC has not included the sport on the LA 2028 program yet and has urged nationalboxingfederations to create a new globalboxingbody or risk missing out on the Olympics in four years' time. −Reuters

Crowd starts to get restless

Still one bout to go before Khelif enters the ring, and Algerians got on their feet and waved flags. But it gets worse for the restless. Before the boxing resumes, they’re holding two medal ceremonies inside the ring.

Imane Khelif draws support again

Algerians began arriving early in strong numbers for Khelif’s bout, with one woman wearing a T-shirt that reads, “Algerian Feminists Stand With You.”

When is Imane Khelif’s next fight?

10:51 p.m. Paris time (4:51 p.m. ET) Friday, August 9

How to watch Imane Khelif’s next fight

The fight will be broadcast on NBC/Peacock.

Where will the match be held?

Roland Garros Stadium, home of the French Open

Boxer Imane Khelif wins gold medal: Algerian is Olympic champion after controversy (2025)

FAQs

Boxer Imane Khelif wins gold medal: Algerian is Olympic champion after controversy? ›

PARIS (AP) — Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has won a gold medal Friday at the Paris Olympics, emerging a champion from a tumultuous run at the Games where she endured intense scrutiny in the ring and online abuse from around the world over misconceptions about her womanhood.

Did the Algerian boxer win a medal? ›

PARIS — The Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has won the Olympic gold medal, defiant amid the international political controversy that loomed over her every bout as she advanced through the women's boxing event in the 2024 Summer Games.

Who was the Algerian boxer in the Paris Olympics? ›

Despite being labelled a 'biological male', Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won the gold medal for his country at the just-concluded Paris Olympics. She saw questions being raised over her gender whenever she won a boxing bout. However, this didn't stop Imane from keeping her focus completely on the in-ring action.

Who was the Algerian fighter in the Olympics? ›

Celebrations erupted in Algeria for Imane Khelif, the female boxer who won gold under a cloud of lies and misconceptions fueled by Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling.

Who won the gold medal in boxing? ›

Imane Khelif wins Olympic boxing gold amid false gender claims - ESPN.

What is the controversy with the Paris Olympics 2024? ›

Calls to ban Israeli athletes

Many argued that Israeli athletes should be banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from participating in the 2024 Olympics because of their country's ongoing offensive against Gaza, similar to the procedure applied to Russian athletes over the Ukraine war.

What is the controversy with the Olympics in 2024? ›

Controversies during Olympic qualifications and selections
  • Chinese doping allegations. ...
  • American doping allegations. ...
  • Bans on transgender women and restrictions on intersex athletes. ...
  • Disqualification and reinstatement of Ukrainian fencer. ...
  • Great Britain women's football qualifying group. ...
  • Great Britain triathlon selection.

What is the boxing controversy in the 2024 Olympics? ›

One of the biggest things to come out of the 2024 Paris Olympics was the division and social media backlash around Algerian and Taiwanese boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting — whose genders were questioned on an international stage. Khelif competed in the Paris Games in the 145 pound group, and won a gold medal Aug. 9.

How many Olympic medals does Algeria have? ›

Algeria has won a total of 17 medals, although five of them have been won by just two people, with the big majority coming in athletics and boxing.

Why does the Algerian gymnast not compete for France? ›

The conflict between Nemour — who holds dual citizenship — and the French federation started after Nemour suffered from a bone and cartilage condition and had to undergo surgery on both knees in 2021.

What is the Iman controversy? ›

Why were Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting disqualified from previous boxing competitions? The two athletes were disqualified from the Women's World Boxing Championships last year after Umar Kremlev, president of the IBA, alleged that test results showed they carried male chromosomes.

Did Iman Khelif win? ›

The crowd cheered raucously as it was announced that Khelif had won the gold medal on points by unanimous decision. Khelif did her trademark victory dance in the ring and posed for photographers before she was carried away from the ring on the shoulders of one of her trainers.

Who won gold in women's boxing in 2024? ›

Algeria's Imane Khelif wins the women's welterweight event in boxing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, defeating China's Yang Liu for gold.

Did Cassius Clay won a gold medal? ›

Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, defeats Poland's Zbigniew Pietrzykowski to win the gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

What medals did the boxer Rebellion win? ›

Pages in category "Boxer Rebellion campaign medals"
  • China Campaign Medal.
  • China Medal (German Empire)
  • China Relief Expedition Medal.
  • China War Medal (1900)
  • Commemorative Medal of the Campaign in China.

What medal did Muhammad Ali get? ›

A Life of Olympic Service

Ali's Olympic journey began in 1960 when he won the gold medal in Rome as a light heavyweight boxer, an achievement that catapulted him to international fame.

Who is the only boxer to win 8 world championship medals? ›

Mary Kom, the only boxer– male or female– to win eight world championships medals, was named Sportstar of the Decade at the 2021 Sportstar ACES Awards.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 5789

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.