Algerian Imane Khelif has been disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after she failed to meet their eligibility criteria at the ongoing 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championship in New Delhi, India
The 23-years-old female boxer from Africa was scheduled to meet Yang Liu from China in the 66kg (Welterweight) division final bout on Sunday, March 26th, but was disqualified for ‘Medical Reason’.
Algerian Media report that Khelif conducted a hormone test where it was found that she had high level of testosterone in her system.
Khelif who stops Kenyan Friza Anyango in her first bout at round of 32, and beats Russian Azaliia Amineva at round of 16, also defeated Uzbekistan Navbakhor Khamidova at Quater-final stage, before coming out victorious over Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng at Semi-final to book a place for herself in the final which she was disqualified from participating at due to ‘Medical Reason’
She claimed that she was the victim of a ‘Conspiracy’: “There are some countries that did not want Algeria to win a gold medal,” the boxer told Algerian Ennahar TV.
“This is a conspiracy and a big conspiracy, and we will not be silent about it.”
While speaking with Algerian website Koora, Khelif says she was often Bullied because of her appearance: “I was often bullied because of my appearance, and I resisted and continued to struggle despite everything,
Today their plot succeeded, and frankly I am experience a great shock”
Khelif who won silver at the 2022 IBA world Women’s Championship in Instabul, won Gold at 2022 African Championship in Maputo, also represented Algeria at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, said she has participated in many tournament and there was no problem: “I participated in many tournaments and there was no problem but when my chances became great to win the gold medal, they came and prevented me, justifying that because my qualifications are greater than the qualifications of the rest of the females.”
The IBA revealed that Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng, beaten by Khelif in the semi-finals, would take the Algerian’s place in today’s final and face Yang Liu from China in Final.
While Uzbekistan Navbakhor Khamidova Khelif beats at Quater-final will be awarded the Bronze medal
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