Paris Olympics 2024 | It a battle for dignity: Imane Khelif on gender row

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif advances to semifinals amid gender controversy, securing a medal opportunity in women's 66kg category.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who is currently embroiled in a heated gender row, beat Hungary’s Luca Anna Hamori to make the semifinals in the women’s 66kg category. Khelif guaranteed herself a medal in the process.

After questions were raised over Imane’s gender and Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew from her bout against the Algerian in 46 seconds on Thursday, the North Paris Arena here witnessed dramatic scenes with the Algerian supporters vociferously supporting Imane. Later, hundreds of journalists crowded the narrow mixed zone to get the reaction of both boxers.

“I want to tell the entire world that I am a female, and I will remain a female,” Khelif, in tears, told the official broadcaster. “It’s a battle, it’s for my dignity.”

The 25-year-old was disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) abruptly ahead of the final of the 2023 World Championships which cited high levels of testosterone in her system.

IBA then said this week that it did not test for testosterone, putting the assessment in doubt.

Khelif is one of two boxers caught in the eye of the storm, the other being Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan.

Khelif will face Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand in the last four on Tuesday for a place in the final.