Imane Khelif: The Boxer Takes Action After Controversy Over Gender Identity
Imane Khelif, the female boxer from Algeria, has shocked the global online community with her new look since her dominant performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, which sparked controversy surrounding her gender. This surprise began with a video shared on Instagram by Beauty Code, a beauty blog focused on women’s aesthetics, which was also posted on Khelif’s personal page. In the video, viewers can see her still sporting red boxing gloves and a casual t-shirt, but in a moment, the footage shifts to a different appearance of Khelif: wearing a floral-patterned shirt, round earrings with small roses, and light makeup, exuding a delicate, feminine look. She also wears a necklace and proudly displays the gold medal she won in the women’s welterweight category at the Paris tournament in August.
Does Appearance Define a Person?
At the end of the video, a message from Beauty Code and Imane Khelif emphasizes that, although she “changes her appearance,” she is not defined by her looks. While society often elevates certain standards of beauty, Khelif rejects the notion of conforming to these ideals. The message from the video is both strong and profound: “Clothes do not make the monk, and appearance does not reveal the essence of a person.”
The caption continues, “She can be feminine and elegant whenever she wants, but in the ring, she doesn’t need makeup or high heels. She just needs strategy, strength, and the ability to throw precise punches. That is where her true essence lies.”
Gender Controversy and IBA Decision
At the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championship in New Delhi, Khelif was disqualified just before her gold medal match after failing to meet the International Boxing Association (IBA) eligibility criteria. A similar incident occurred with Lin Yu-ting, a Taiwanese world champion. The IBA did not explain why the athletes failed the gender test, though they were disqualified under unclear circumstances.
Khelif and Lin, both 28 years old, do not identify as transgender or intersex. However, in July of this year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that both athletes are eligible to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Defining Herself on the World Stage
Upon being allowed to participate in the Olympic Games, Khelif wasted no time showcasing her dominance and ultimately winning a gold medal. Despite facing backlash from some critics, she remained steadfast in her beliefs, asserting: “I am a woman, I was born a woman, and I live as a woman. There is no doubt about it.”
Khelif has shown that as a boxer, she doesn’t need to prove her strength everywhere – it’s only necessary on the ring. In her daily life, she embraces grace and elegance. With her exceptional career and powerful message about personal identity, Khelif continues to serve as a global inspiration for many.
