Despite being attacked over gender misconception, Imane Khelif of Algeria has managed to clinch gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the women’s 66 kg division after defeating world champion Yang Liu of China on Friday. Even though Khelif was born a biological female, a disease/condition caused Khelif to have XY chromosomes.

This led to her disqualification by the now-barred IBA from last year’s World Championships, alongside Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan. However, the IOC permitted both boxers to compete in this year’s Olympic Games, and it appears this decision has proven beneficial for Khelif as she won the historic gold. Meanwhile, Slim Albaher, an influencer turned boxer of Yemeni descent, hopped on social media to share a heartfelt congratulatory message for the boxer. 

Slim Albaher celebrates historic win for the “Arab/Muslim world”

The 25-year-old secured the greatest achievement of her career thus far at the famous Roland Garros Stadium, where the Algerian diaspora cheered for every second of the boxer’s final bout. ‘The Hitman’ Albaher, commemorating her victory, wrote on X, “The World tried acussing her of being a man[.] So God made her win the Gold medal!”

Interestingly, Khelif became Algeria’s first Olympic gold medalist in women’s boxing. If that wasn’t enough. The 25-year-old became the first boxer to ever bring home gold since 1996. Keeping with this enormous achievement, Albaher wrote, “Congrats to Imane Khelif on Becoming the Women’s boxing welterweight Olympic Champion[.] The Arab/Muslim world is so Proud.” 

Despite this, many people across the globe remain uninformed and oblivious to the reality of Khelif’s situation. Even Albaher’s post received comments such as “That’s a dude bro. L” while others mocked her win writing, “Congrats to him!” However, the narrative online is much different from what it’s like on the ground.

Not only did the Algerian diaspora vehemently support Khelif during her gold medal bout, but the French populace had rallied behind the 25-year-old during her semi-final battle against Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand. In fact, the support has only grown louder, as the 15,000-strong crowd came alive in the finals, chanting “Imane! Imane!” at the first sight of her. Besides, Imane Khelif has shared some parting words after her gold win on Friday. 

Imane Khelif reveals what gives her win a special taste

After defeating world champion Yang Liu on Friday with a unanimous 5-0 decision, the Algerian gold medalist, possibly for the last time, addressed the controversy that had plagued her Olympic run. Responding to questions about her Olympic qualifications and her gender identity, she gave a firm and clear answer.

Imane Khelif asserted, “I am fully qualified to take part in this competition. I’m a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I lived a woman, I competed as a woman.” She further labeled her critics as “enemies of success,” adding that these attacks have given her “success a special taste because of these attacks.”

It appears the 2024 Paris Olympics games were filled with adversities for the 25-year-old Algerian boxer, which she overcame successfully. Meanwhile, Lin Yu-ting is yet to face her final opponent tomorrow. What did you think about the whole situation? What is your take on Khelif’s situation?