‘I don’t care about the criticism’: Boxer Imane Khelif advances to gold-medal bout
By Michael Chammas
Imane Khelif has declared she does not care about the criticism directed at her, putting aside a tumultuous week to book her passage into the gold medal fight in Paris after a resounding victory at the iconic Roland Garros.
The Algerian is on the verge of history and could become the nation’s first Olympic gold medal winner in 12 years after dismantling Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng on Wednesday morning (AEST) in front of a crowd of almost 13,000.
Khelif has been in the eye of a gender storm that has engulfed the Games in Paris, which only intensified on the eve of her semi-final bout after the International Boxing Association doubled down on their claims that she should not be allowed to compete at the Olympics after failing two separate gender eligibility tests.
At the same venue where Serbian Novak Djokovic created history when he won that elusive gold medal against Carlos Alcaraz just two days earlier, the 25-year-old used the support of a rabid crowd to claim a unanimous win (5-0) and give herself a chance of becoming the first Algerian boxer since Hocine Soltani in 1996 to win a gold medal.
“I would like to thank the crowd and the community that came today. Praise be to God,” Khelif said.
“This is something that we are proud of and proud of the Algerian people and the Arab world. We dedicate this entire achievement to them and the whole world that saw it. The world has supported me. God willing, we will be at the level in the final and be as happy as the world hopes. The Arab people and the world believe in this for all the criticism and all the generations.
Algeria’s Imane Khelif celebrates after defeating Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng in their women’s 66kg semi-final.Credit: AP
“I told you and spoke before I don’t care about criticism. God willing, we will be at the level and present my talent, because I consider my heart and spirit to be a talent. I gave everything I had to make it an enjoyable viewing around the world.”
Khelif and another boxer, Lin Yu-ting of Chinese Taipei, had previously failed gender eligibility tests and been disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association – but that decision was not upheld by the International Olympic Committee. Lin is due to fight in her semi-final at 5.30am AEST on Thursday.
Khelif’s next bout will be in the gold medal fight against China’s Liu Yang (Saturday 6.50am AEST) after she defeated her Taiwanese opponent shortly after the Algerian’s win.
“To be in the finals and to play in the Olympics is a great achievement,” she said.
Imane Khelif (right) lands a right hook on Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng.Credit: AP
“The competition is an old sport that has been known in the Olympics for a long time, it is one of the first sports in the Olympics. The competition will last about 20 days. So, to be in the final in the competition is a big thing.
“I came here for my goal. I hope I will be at the same level on the 9th of August. I hope I will perform well. I think I performed well today.”
In an interview with broadcaster SNTV in the lead-up to the semi-final bout, Khelif spoke about the gender furore that has dominated headlines at the Paris Games.
“It can destroy people,” she said.
“It can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying.”
Earlier in the day, two-time Olympic gold medal-winning middle distance runner Caster Semenya, who has differences in sex development (DSD) and was banned from competing due to high testosterone levels, joined the debate over Khelif’s eligibility.
“Imane is a great boxer and people always criticise when someone is doing well, people always talk then,” Semenya told Sportsboom.
“When she wasn’t winning, then everyone was quiet. But the IOC’s policy and constitution should not contradict each other.
“Sport is for all people and the constitution says no to discrimination. But the minute they allowed women to be disgraced, it confuses us. If sport is for all, then why does the big governing body allow this sort of thing to happen? They should stand their ground and lead by example. It’s about quality leadership that safeguards, protects and respects women.”
Sign up for our Sports Newsletter to get Olympic Games updates and general sport news, results and expert analysis straight to your inbox.