Imane Khelif said “attacks” over her gender eligibility gave her victory a “special taste” after she won Olympic women’s boxing gold a year after being disqualified from the World Championships.
The Algerian was banned and reported to have failed gender eligibility tests but, having been allowed to compete in Paris, beat Chinese world champion Yang Liu by unanimous decision over four rounds to win welterweight gold.
“I am fully qualified to take part in this competition,” said 25-year-old Khelif. “I am a woman like any other woman.
“I was born a woman. I have lived as a woman. I competed as a woman – there is no doubt about that.”
Khelif said she had been a victim of “bullying” and that the International Boxing Association (IBA) “hate me and I really don’t know why”.
In the arena she was roared to the ring by swathes of Algerian supporters, who waved their green, white and red flags.
Khelif dominated the fight and was showboating at the final bell, dancing while knowing victory was hers, before she and Yang shared a warm embrace.
When the result was confirmed, Yang raised Khelif’s arm in the air – a contrast to the scenes after the Algerian’s opening fight against Italy’s Angela Carini – and the new champion was then carried around a jubilant arena on the shoulders of her coach.
Lin Yu-ting, who was also banned last year under the same ruling, will fight Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in the featherweight final on Saturday.
Khelif had tears in her eyes and was applauded by Lin and bronze medallists Chen Nien-chin of Chinese Taipei and Thailan’s Janjaem Suwannapheng as the Algerian national anthem was played.
