Imane Khelif sets off boxing frenzy across football-obsessed Algeria

Algeria's streets are a buzz with pride and joy as Imane Khelif, the boxer representing the country at the Paris Olympics, qualified for the final on Tuesday and guaranteeing her at least a silver medal, despite a widespread bigoted and misinformation campaign against her. 

On 6 August, the Algerian welterweight Khelif defeated Thailand's 2023 world silver medallist, Janjaem Suwannapheng, in a unanimous points decision, advancing to the final in the women's 66kg category. She aims to become Algeria's first boxing gold medallist.

Already a national hero in Algeria, Khelif has turned the football-obsessed nation into a country now falling in love with the sport of boxing. When the 25-year-old appeared on television on Tuesday's game, cafés in Algiers erupted in cheers, a reaction usually reserved for the nation's star footballer, Ryad Mahrez, and his swift goals.

"To be honest, I don't really understand boxing, but I'm here to cheer for Imane," said Rachid, a 50-year-old man who swapped his JC Kabylie jersey for one bearing Imane's picture. Stalls around the city are now selling jerseys of the young boxer, alongside the usual Palestine and Algeria kits.

"No matter what happens in the final, she's a gold medallist in my eyes after everything they've put her through," added Rachid.

Gender Row: Transphobia and Racism Intertwine

Khelif's Olympic journey began with a win against Angela Carini last week—a fight that ended in just 46 seconds as the Italian withdrew, claiming she "had to preserve" her life, alleging Khelif is not a woman. Carini is known to have links with the Italian far-right and is currently receiving money from the IBA as "compensation" for her loss. 

Last year, Khelif was disqualified by the Russian-run IBA for not meeting gender requirements, although no proof was ever presented, and occurred after she had beaten a Russian champion. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which suspended the IBA in 2019 over financial and ethical concerns, supported Khelif's participation.

However, Western right-wing and anti-trans figures, from Elon Musk to Italian PM Meloni, fuelled a hate campaign against the Algerian boxer, claiming with no evidence she was born male and has recently transitioned.

"Imane was born a woman. She is just stronger than her opponent. (...) She is a woman", Khelif's father told local media over the weekend, showing her birth certificate to the camera.

In her first fight post-hate campaign, Khelif broke into tears after she defeated Hungary's Luca Anna Hamori. "Hegrouna (they despised us)", yelled her coach to the camera as he comforted her. The "Hougra" (meaning "oppression and despise") was how many Algerians felt, as figures like Elon Musk encouraged millions to target Imane.

"Imane is like all Algerian women: strong (Harra), powerful, and hard-working. They attacked her because she is not white," said Samira, a young Algerian teacher who joined the crowd in a café in Algiers with her five-year-old daughter.

Mutsa Bambo, an African researcher, noted the pattern of transphobia and racism in sports, and how often successful Black women athletes face allegations of doping and transition for not conforming to white femininity stereotypes.

"When Serena Williams dominated tennis, she was accused of being a man by her White opponents, resulting in her being tested for doping more frequently than her White counterparts," Bambo wrote.

Khelif Punches Through Hate and Prejudice

After her win on Tuesday, Khelif dropped her guard, danced on the canvas, and embraced her opponent in her signature sports(wo)manship.

At Court Philippe Chatrier, the French tennis venue repurposed for the boxing finals, the crowd chanted her name, with some shouting "Viva Algeria."

"I am very happy. I am grateful for all the support here in Paris [...] I want to thank all the people of Algeria who came here," she told reporters after the fight.

Support for Imane has extended worldwide, with international stars and politicians like French-Algerian rapper Medine and French MP Sebastian Delogu cheering for her victory. Even Morocco's most anti-Algerian media have set aside political discord to celebrate Khelif's triumph, not only against her opponents, but also against the many Western figures who lobbied for her disqualification and preyed on her downfall.

On Friday, 9 August, Imane will fight Liu Yang of China in the gold-medal bout. Cafés in Algeria, Morocco and beyond are set to broadcast the match and celebrate Khelif's historic run, whatever the outcome.