Olympic champion Imane Khelif has introduced a new style following his victory at the Paris Olympics last year.
The Algerian fighter, who made headlines at the Olympics after being engaged in a gender eligibility controversy, wrote a contemplative post last week on the anniversary of his victory, detailing the challenges he has experienced since.
“It was an unforgettable moment, a moment where my tears mixed with the awe of pride, a moment where my country’s flag soared high, and I held my head up with the strength of a boxer and the heart of a human,” Khelif said on her social media account.
“On the anniversary of my triumph, I’m facing challenges, silence, and waiting…” Despite everything, the spirit that strove for gold still lives within me.
“I still think that every fall leads to a stronger ascent and that every delay is a test of faith and resolve.
“True strength is demonstrated not only via success but also through endurance in the face of adversity.
“My name is Imane Khelif; I was a champion yesterday, I am resilient now, and I am determined to return tomorrow.
“I am grateful to those who continue to believe in me. And to myself, thank you for never giving up.
Days later, Khelif was photographed with TV personality Nassima Djaffar Bey, displaying a stunning makeover with cosmetics and flowing hair.
Djaffar Bey captioned his Instagram image, “Always a pleasure.”
The 25-year-old hasn’t fought since Paris and skipped a scheduled return at the Eindhoven Box Cup earlier this summer.
That judgment came shortly after World Boxing, the sport’s new governing body, implemented stringent sex testing for all competitors above the age of 18, requiring genetic PCR tests to establish eligibility.
The question of gender verification has plagued Khelif since the 2023 World Championships, when the now-defunct International Boxing Association banned both the 26-year-old and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting due to claimed test findings.
Despite this, the International Olympic Committee permitted both combatants to compete in Paris, where they won gold medals.
The dispute erupted this year after claims of a purported leaked medical test appeared, saying Khelif had XY chromosomes.
At the Olympics, the fighter’s father refuted such accusations by presenting a birth certificate indicating that Khelif was female.
Calls for the boxer’s medal to be removed have been flatly rejected.
In June, Kirsty Coventry, the president of the International Olympic Committee, declared that there would be no retrospective action.
“There was overwhelming support that we should protect the female category,” Coventry told the crowd.
“But it was fully agreed that, as the IOC, we should emphasize protection of the female category.”
Khelif is currently concentrating on his long-term aim of competing in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
The Algerian has already announced aspirations to move up a weight category, and Khelif previously competed in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.