AND passed over a year from Paris 2024, but the IMANE KHELIF case still keeps the bench in the boxing world. After the Olympic gold in the French capital and 12 months of absence from the ring, contrasting rumors chase around the Algerian champion: Among those who speak of definitive farewellwho of momentary break and who, instead, He still sees her committed to building her career. In the background, the Gender test rules imposed by the new international boxing federation and a sports future that remains an enigma.
“Imane Khelif retired”: the announcement of the former manager
To launch the case was Former Manager Nasser Yesfah through the pages of Nice-Matinclaiming that Khelif had abandoned the boxing. “He doesn’t fight anymore. At the moment he stopped completely. He hasn’t even started again, he no longer practices boxing. After what happened at the Olympics … », said Yesfah, suggesting a stop that could turn into retreat. And again: “In any case, if it becomes a professional, he will be subjected to the same type of test (of genre editor’s note)”.
The replica of the boxing champion
The answer was not long in coming. With a post on FacebookKhelif distanced himself from the statements of the former prosecutor: «Yesfah no longer represents me in any way. I have never announced my withdrawal from boxing. I remain engaged in my sports career, I train regularly And I maintain my physical shape between Algeria and Qatar in preparation for the next events ». An explanation should sweep any doubts: “I want to clarify the public that the voices on my retreat from boxing are false”.
The node of gender tests
After Paris, Imane Khelif is no longer climbing the ring. His return was expected toEindhoven Box Cupbut The Algerian was excluded due to the new rules introduced by World Boxingthe newly formed international federation of amateur boxing, which require all compulsory genetic tests for detect the presence of the y chromosome through the SRY gene.
A procedure that closely recalls the cases already exploded in athletics and that, according to many experts, It is based on fragile scientific evidences And he risks penalizing athletes with particular conditions such as differences in sexual development. For Khelif, over the years, they were already Circular fake news and alleged rumors about hormonal and chromosomal tests never confirmedpromptly denied by the one that has lined up against summary and discriminatory checks.
The career in the boxing of Imane Khelif
From the origins in a very poor family of Tiant, to the ten kilometers traveled every day to reach the gym, up to the international rise: fifth in Tokyo 2021, world silver in Istanbul 2022 and finally gold in Paris 2024, After the discussed match with Angela Carini. Yet, for over a year, Imane Khelif has not fighting. Today he dedicates a lot of time to worldly events, covers and sponsors. Its parable remains suspended between sports myth and regulatory controversies, in a fragile balance between conquered glory and challenges still to be clarified.
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