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“In Suffering, Champions Are Born”: An Eye-Opening Conversation With Algerian Olympic Gold Medalist Imane Khelif

Boxing champion Imane Khelif overcame dramatic circumstances to win gold at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Now, she’s redefining Arab beauty and power for the modern world.

imane khelif

Jacket, skirt, boots, Balenciaga. Photo: Tarek Mawad.

Dressed in blue jeans, a white T-shirt, and a black blazer with her hair tied back, Imane Khelif arrives at the photography studio with a broad smile. At 25, the young champion is at ease, no longer intimidated by the spotlight. Just days earlier, when Khelif captivated the media and the public at the Bottega Veneta show at Milan fashion week wearing a mustard yellow shirt and leather pants, it was clear her star shines well beyond the boxing ring. It was her first time attending a high-profile fashion event – with Kendall Jenner and ASAP Rocky sitting front row – and she did so with poise and grace.

Imane Khelif with ASAP Rocky and Julianne Moore at the Bottega Veneta show. Photo: Getty

Khelif made history at this year’s Paris Olympics, but her achievement did not come without challenges. After defeating Italian boxer Angela Carini, who withdrew from the match after 46 seconds citing safety concerns, Khelif found herself at the center of a political storm. Insidious rumors questioning her gender quickly spread. They were vehemently refuted by Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who challenged the “unacceptable hate speech” from critics. “What we see now is that some want to own the definition of who is a woman,” he said. “I can only invite them to come up with a scientific-based, new definition of who is a woman and how can somebody being born, raised, competed, and having a passport as a woman cannot be considered a woman.” Conservative politicians around the world seized on the moment with further vitriol, but Bach reiterated that the IOC, which vets the eligibility of all athletes for competition, “will not take part in a sometimes politically motivated, cultural war.” Carini has since apologized, saying, “All this controversy certainly made me sad, and I also felt sorry for my opponent, she had nothing to do with it and like me was only here to fight.”

Imane Khelif after her 2024 Paris Olympics win. Photo: Getty

Imane Khelif with her gold medal for the welterweight category at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris

“It was a very difficult experience,” Khelif recalls. “Despite winning the gold medal, that one event felt like a whole lifetime. The experiences were multiple and varied within one isolated incident. I was able to overcome it all thanks to my faith in God, in myself, and my dream. Without such challenges, I would never have become a champion.”

Imane Khelif with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune after her Olympic win

Amid the turmoil, Khelif drew strength from the support she received from Algeria and beyond. “My country stood by me with great conviction, led by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who was the first to support me. All the authorities and the entire Algerian people were on my side, and I am very proud of that.” She adds, “These difficulties are part of every successful person’s journey, but no one has been able to shake my self-confidence – and that’s the secret to my success.”

imane khelif

Blazer, pants, Sportsmax; belt, The Frankie Shop; shoes, Bottega Veneta. Photo: Tarek Mawad.

Born in Tiaret in western Algeria, Khelif charted her own path, defying societal norms and prejudices to reach the pinnacle of international boxing. As the eldest of six siblings, she enjoyed a happy childhood with her family. “My siblings are proud of me and of my accomplishments,” she says with a smile. Despite training in France and being far from home, Khelif maintains a close bond with her loved ones, frequently returning to Algeria to visit.

imane khelif

Blazer, pants, Gucci; shoes, JM Weston. Photo: Tarek Mawad.

From an early age, the sport star was known for her boundless energy and rebellious spirit. Neighborhood football was her first pursuit. “I loved sports at school; I was always one of the best players,” she recalls. At 12, she discovered boxing – a sport that allowed her to channel her energy and assert herself. “I fell in love with boxing from my very first day of training. I felt it was the perfect sport for me, and I knew I could achieve great results. Besides, boxing is the sport of the poor.”

imane khelif

Coat, top, Bottega Veneta. Photo: Tarek Mawad.

The boxing gym became Khelif’s sanctuary. She trained relentlessly, driven by an insatiable passion and a dream of greatness. “Boxing is simply about will, determination, strength, and patience. It demands sacrifices. But anything difficult for a woman can be a source of inspiration,” she explains. Her early challenges included limited resources, rudimentary training conditions, and societal prejudice towards women boxers. “I sold bread on the roadside, and collected plastic, aluminium, and iron to save money to get myself to the gym and back,” she recalls. “My coach, Mohamed Chaoua, always told me that one day I’d be an Olympic champion. He taught me the importance and value of that. I made sacrifices in many areas – in my personal life, my education. I did everything to reach the top.”

imane khelif

Top, Max Mara; choker, bracelet, Chopard. Photo: Tarek Mawad.

Khelif faced her first official fight in 2016 at a national championship. Overwhelmed by fear of losing, she initially struggled to begin, but her resolved remained unshaken. With the support of Chaoua, she won a string of victories on the national level, earning a reputation as a formidable fighter. Her talent and unwavering drive opened the door to the Algerian national team, where she swiftly ascended to the top. Her growing collection of medals – silver at the 2022 International Boxing Association (IBA) Women’s World Boxing Championships and gold at the 2022 African Amateur Boxing Championships, 2022 Mediterranean Games, and 2023 Arab Games – solidified her status as one of Algeria’s brightest boxing stars.

imane khelif

Jumpsuit, Loewe; top, Max Mara. Photo: Tarek Mawad.

Determined to measure herself against the world’s best, Khelif moved to Nice, France, in 2023 to train at the Nice Azur club – a strategic move that provided better facilities, expert coaching, and direct exposure to international competition. However, that same year, she faced another challenge when the IBA suspended her following gender verification tests. The IOC, however, had stripped the IBA of its status as the sport’s world governing body that same year due to ethical concerns, meaning Khelif could still compete – and win – at the Olympics. Today, Khelif says she is “a patient and ambitious woman,” still striving for success and forging ahead. Yet she now views her journey with new perspective, saying, “It’s not just the medal that changed me, but the circumstances and the way I earned it changed the very taste of victory.”

imane khelif

Jacket, skirt, boots, Balenciaga. Photo: Tarek Mawad.

The boxer’s exceptional trajectory has made her a national hero in Algeria and an inspiration to girls worldwide. In the ring, she is known for her technique, power, and fighting spirit – but her story is also a masterclass in hope and empowerment. As a Muslim and Algerian woman, Khelif represents a new generation challenging stereotypes and breaking barriers. She is lauded for the way she combines strength and femininity, reflecting a new era of beauty. When Vogue Arabia shared images of Khelif wearing feminine makeup and styled with a wavy blowout, it sparked mixed reactions – yet what truly matters is that Khelif has the freedom to present herself as she chooses.

imane khelif

Blazer, top, pants, shoes, Bottega Veneta. Photo: Tarek Mawad.

Khelif’s story is a powerful reminder that success in the face of adversity is possible. “In suffering, champions are born,” is a phrase she often returns to. “It always gives me more determination, more perseverance,” she reflects. “Each time I’m at the point of giving up, this phrase propels me to keep going, to fulfill my dream.”

imane khelif

Jumpsuit, Loewe. Photo: Tarek Mawad.

Originally published in the November 2024 issue of Vogue Arabia

Style: Barbara Baumel
Fashion director: Amine Jreissati
Hair: Raynald Bernard
Makeup: Megumi Itano
Set design: Clara Dulibine
Creative producer: Beya Bou-Harb
Producer on set: Olivia Ghalioungui
Nails: Nafissa Djabi
Retouching: One Hundred Berlin

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