"Born a female, born with lady parts" - Former UFC middleweight hails Imane Khelif following Algerian's gold medal win at Paris Olympics
A former UFC middleweight contender resorted to rubbing Algerian boxer Imane Khelif's recent victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics on the faces of critics who continue questioning her eligibility for the event. Khelif defeated the world champion Yang Liu of China in the women’s 66kg category by unanimous decision to secure the gold medal.
Khelif was surrounded by the storm of a gender-row controversy following her ban alongside Lin Yu-ting from competing in the 2023 Women's World Boxing Championships. The pair reportedly failed a gender eligibility test administered by the International Boxing Association (IBA).
However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped the IBA of recognition as boxing’s governing body over several issues. Moreover, they firmly stood behind the boxers' inclusion in the quadrennial multi-sport events with IOC President Thomas Bach stating that Khelif’s status as a woman was “never in doubt.”
Former UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson, amongst the first to support Khelif against dissenting voices, took to X to react to the Algerian's historic win. He wrote:
"Imane Khelif wins the Gold Medal. A lot of propaganda and lies. Born a female, born with lady parts. Lies about the IBA tests that were not disclosed. Not a transgender. That’s not allowed in her country. HI HATERS!"
Check out his X post below:
Imane Khelif reacts to securing the gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif's pursuit of gold in the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics was plagued by brutal criticism, disparaging taunts, and biting commentary.
Khelif’s participation stirred controversy after it came to light that she allegedly failed an undisclosed “gender eligibility test." The debate devolved into a further critical stance after Italy's Angela Carini quit 46 seconds into her bout against Khelif, resulting in an automatic win for the Algerian boxer.
However, the 25-year-old managed to overcome all the struggles to become Algeria’s first Olympic gold medalist in women’s boxing and the nation's first boxer to win gold since 1996. Following her win, she shed light on the whole episode with authority, stating:
"I am fully qualified. I am a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I lived as a woman, I competed as a woman - there is no doubt. There are enemies of success of course. That gives my success a special taste. My family is happy. The whole of Algeria is happy today. Eight years of work... Eight years of no sleep...Today I'm very happy to win the gold medal." [H/t: The Mirror]