Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif Wins Olympic Semi-Final Against Janjaem Suwannapheng

As a seasoned cinema-goer who has watched countless underdog stories unfold on the silver screen, I find myself deeply moved by the tale of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. Her journey to the Olympic finals, marred by controversy over her gender eligibility, is nothing short of a real-life blockbuster drama.


The Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, whose Olympic journey has been marked by a debate regarding her gender, is edging closer to claiming gold at Paris. Yesterday, Khelif triumphed in her semifinal match in the women’s 66kg category against Thai opponent Janjaem Suwannapheng, advancing her to the final scheduled for August 9th.

Khelif, who wept with joy following her quarter-final boxing victory against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori last weekend, was once again greeted in the ring by thunderous applause from a highly enthusiastic crowd and numerous Algerian flags being waved aloft. Upon triumphing, she leaped for joy.

Yesterday, the Algerian boxer spoke to SNTV, a collaborator of The Associated Press in sports videos, discussing her feelings regarding cyberbullying related to accusations that she doesn’t belong in the women’s boxing tournament.

The controversy over her eligibility arose following her swift victory against Angela Carini from Italy in a brief match. This debate was sparked by the fact that she was disqualified at last year’s Women’s World Championships, along with Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan, due to two tests showing elevated testosterone levels in their bodies. Notable personalities like J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk further ignited the debate on social media, questioning her participation in the female category.

As a passionate film enthusiast discussing a recent SNTV interview in Arabic, I’m sharing my thoughts on Khelif’s heartfelt words. She expressed that her family harbors concerns for her, but she remains optimistic, stating, “Insha’Allah, this crisis will lead to a triumphant gold medal, which would be the perfect response.” She then extended a message to people worldwide, urging adherence to the Olympic principles and charter. Specifically, she called for an end to bullying athletes, emphasizing that such actions carry significant consequences.

Khelif stated that bullying “has the power to shatter individuals, it can suppress thoughts, spirits, and intellect. It can lead to separation among people. Therefore, I urge you all to abstain from such behavior.” Additionally, she expressed gratitude towards the Olympic Committee for upholding her rights.

Thomas Bach, head of the International Olympic Committee, publicly supported Khelif in her female boxing competition. During a press conference prior to her quarter-final match, he stated that Khelif should be allowed to compete because she was born and raised as a woman, has previously competed in women’s events, and is identified as female on her passport. Bach criticized the ongoing controversy as a “politically motivated cultural war” and condemned the hate speech and abuse spreading online, which he described as unacceptable due to its being fueled by such an agenda.

A few days after the event, I was thrilled to learn that the International Boxing Association (IBA) held a press conference in Paris, where they addressed recent developments regarding two boxers – Khelif and Yu-ting. The managing director, Chris Roberts, along with Ioannis Filippatos, a former member of the IBA’s medical committee, confirmed that tests had been carried out on both athletes in Istanbul and India. The results showed they possess XY chromosomes, which led to their initial classification as male boxers.

Bach implied that the row was orchestrated on behalf of the International Boxing Association, an organization banned from the Olympics since June 2023 due to its links with the Kremlin, leadership by presidents from Uzbekistan and Russia, and its financial backing by Russian state energy company Gazprom.

According to Bach’s statement, it appears that Russia, as well as the International Federation, have been under scrutiny due to actions taken prior to these games. These actions included a smear campaign against France, the games themselves, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Previously, their recognition was withdrawn for multiple reasons.

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2024-08-07 00:17