Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won a boxing match in an astonishing 46 seconds at the Paris Olympics, leading to heated debates about her gender.
She was born female but has high levels of testosterone.
Khelif has been labelled as an athlete with “differences in sexual development”, which is precisely the label South African runner Caster Semenya was given before being banned from certain track races.
The boxer has competed as a female her entire career and has lost nine times against other women, including at the Olympics in Tokyo.
She has also only won five times by knockout in her 37 wins.
But on Thursday, she beat Angela Carini, with the Italian boxer breaking down in tears and quitting. She told her coaches, “this is unfair,” and “I have never felt a punch like this.”
Khelif did not have an easy childhood. She sold bread in her village, and people judged her, saying boxing was only for men.
But a coach saw her potential and encouraged her to take up the sport, helping her become a world champion, the Daily Mail reported.
Khelif was previously banned from the Women’s World Boxing Championships for having high testosterone levels but was allowed to compete in the Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee defended Khelif, saying she meets all competition rules.
Pictured above: Imane Khelif.
Source: X
