Imane Khelif dubbed a 'heroine' and 'woman of the year' after winning gold at Paris Olympics amid gender row
Imane Khelif has been flooded with messages of support after beating Yang Liu to win gold at the Paris Olympics on Friday
REUTERS
Imane Khelif has been flooded with messages of support after beating Yang Liu to win gold at the Paris Olympics on Friday.
The Algeria star's gender has been a hot topic so far this summer but, despite all the noise from outside, the 25-year-old has now etched her name into Olympic folklore.
Plenty has been said and written about Khelif, who has furiously hit out at claims that she's a 'biological male'.
The International Boxing Association have fuelled the flames but the International Olympic Committee have long insisted that Khelif has the right to compete.
Imane Khelif has been flooded with messages of support after beating Yang Liu to win gold at the Paris Olympics on Friday
REUTERS
After winning gold on Friday, the 25-year-old was emotional.
And fans on her Instagram have flooded the boxer with messages of support and praise after she secured the prestigious prize.
"Ladies and gentlemen and this is the Woman of the year," said one user, whose comment has been liked over 3,000 times.
"They mock, they attack, they conspire, they bully, and she wins. I am talking about the heroine, Imane Khelif," said a second.
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A third stated: "Never had any interest in boxing yet I have been rooting for you, congratulations."
Another said: "The history will remember you as a first Arabian Algerian woman who won the gold in the Olympics games, you did it and we're so proud of you literally, you're a fighter, you fight for yourself your family, your country and you fight for every woman congrats for achieving your dreams, congrats for being the woman of the year."
A fifth opined: "That's it, girl, shutting up everyone who doubted you. You are not the champion of Algeria, but also of the world. You are an example to follow. Don't let anyone dull your shine. I admire that you are a strong and persevering woman. Let negative comments not be obstacles. on your way we love you queen."
And a sixth said: "So so soooo proud of you."
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Khelif, speaking after her win, fired a parting shot at her critics.
"I am fully qualified," she said.
"I am a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I lived as a woman, I competed as woman - there is no doubt."
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Imane Khelif's gold medal at the Olympics was celebrated wildly by Algerian fans
REUTERS
And the Algeria star said her 'enemies' had only motivated her more.
"There are enemies of success of course," she continued.
"That gives my success a special taste because of these attacks."
Imane Khelif poses with her gold medal at the Paris Olympics on Friday
REUTERS
Lin Yu Ting, like Khelif, has faced scrutiny over her gender during the course of the Olympics so far.
And she will take part in the final of the women's featherweight division tonight, when she goes up against Julia Szeremeta.
Lin has hit back at claims she's a man and says 'false' gender tests have been an attempt to smear her reputation and her achievements in the sport.