Imane Khelif, the boxer from Algeria, revealed that her triumph left a "special taste" after she managed to win the gold medal at the Olympic Games, a year after she was excluded from the World Championships due to multiple attacks. She faced Italy's Angela Carini, who dropped out in 46 seconds after Imane's punch was the strongest she had ever experienced. Thus, the hints started that Imane is transgender and has biological advantages over her competitors. Immediately, the matter was discussed everywhere and her father, in tears, said that Imane was a girl, born and raised as such. On the other hand, Imane has higher testosterone, but that's not in her hands.
Khelif defeated Chinese world champion Yang Liu by unanimous decision after five rounds, taking the gold medal.
"I am fully qualified to take part in this competition," said Khelif, 25. "I'm a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman. I lived as a woman. I raced as a woman - there's no doubt about it."
Khelif said she was the victim of "harassment" and that the International Boxing Association (IBA) "hates her and she doesn't know why."
In the boxing arena, she was enthusiastically greeted by Algerian fans who raised their green, white and red flags. When the result was confirmed, Yang raised Khelif's hand in the air, a different scene from the one after Khelif's opening match against Italy's Angela Carini.
Khelif said he has been criticized by the "enemies of success". "It also gives my success a special flavor because of these attacks," she added.
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