Imane Khelif wiki, Age, Height, Gender Details

Imane Khelif was born on May 2, 1999, in Tiaret, Algeria. Growing up in a rural village, she initially played football but later transitioned to boxing. Due to limited local training facilities, she commuted to a neighboring village for training sessions and sold scrap metal to cover her bus fare. Her father was initially opposed to her involvement in boxing.

Boxing Career

2018–2021

Khelif began her international boxing career at the 2018 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in New Delhi, where she ranked 17th after being eliminated in the first round. In the 2019 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Russia, she placed 33rd following a first-round exit against Natalia Shadrina. Representing Algeria in the lightweight event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Khelif was defeated by Ireland's Kellie Harrington in the quarterfinals.

2022–2023

Khelif made history by becoming the first Algerian female boxer to reach the final at the 2022 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships. She defeated the Netherlands' Chelsey Heijnen but lost to Ireland's Amy Broadhurst in the final. At the 2022 African Championships in Maputo and the 2022 Mediterranean Games in Oran, she won gold medals in the light welterweight category.

In March 2023, Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships due to high levels of testosterone, reportedly linked to a disorder of sex development (DSD) rather than being a transgender issue. Despite an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Khelif withdrew her appeal, making the IBA's decision final. In January 2024, she became a UNICEF national ambassador.

2024

For the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) cleared Khelif to compete, confirming compliance with eligibility and medical regulations. In the second round of the women’s 66 kg category, Khelif defeated Angela Carini of Italy in 46 seconds after Carini withdrew due to intense pain in her nose.