Olympic Champion Boxer Imane Khelif Now Looks Unrecognisable

Olympic gold medal-winning boxer Imane Khelif appeared almost unrecognisable after unveiling a dramatic new look. The Algerian star was cleared to compete at the Paris 2024 Summer Games despite the International Boxing Association (IBA) previously disqualifying both her and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting from the 2023 World Championships.

At the time, the IBA claimed the pair had failed gender eligibility tests, which led to the duo being ensnared in a firestorm of controversy. Since then, World Boxing – the sport’s new governing body – has confirmed that all fighters will now be required to undergo mandatory sex screening in order to compete in future events.

The controversy resurfaced in June when details of Khelif’s alleged 2023 medical test were leaked, with reports claiming she was “biologically male.” According to 3 Wire Sports, the leaked report suggested a “chromosome analysis reveals male karyotype” – an XY chromosome pair. This led to renewed calls for Khelif to be stripped of her historic Olympic gold, which was Algeria’s first in boxing.

Imane Khelif Shows Off Dramatic New Look

But on the anniversary of her triumph in Paris, Khelif seemed unfazed by the ongoing scrutiny – sharing a cryptic Instagram post that revealed a striking new appearance, leaving many shocked at how different she now looks compared to her Olympic celebrations.

Khelif, 27, took a selfie alongside television host podcaster Nassima Djaffar Bey. Khelif was seen beaming in the photo, appearing with makeup and flowing hair, as described by The Sun. See the social media post below:

Credit: Imane Khelif, courtesy of Daily Mail

In the same month, a video of Khelif undergoing a dramatic makeover went viral on social media. Watch the clip and see the transformation below:

Khelif admitted to going through a ‘difficult phase’ in a separate Instagram post. “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,” the Algerian wrote (see the full post below).

Khelif has yet to return to the ring since winning Olympic gold, with the Algerian skipping a proposed comeback event at the Eindhoven Box Cup days after mandatory sex testing was introduced.

World Boxing’s new policy requires all athletes over the age of 18 to undergo a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) genetic test to determine their sex at birth and their eligibility to compete.

Amid calls for Khelif to be stripped of the Olympic title, International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry confirmed in June that there would be no retrospective action on the result. Coventry’s declaration came after the newly elected IOC president announced the formation of a working group tasked with safeguarding women’s sport.

“There was overwhelming support that we should protect the female category,” Coventry said. “We understand that there will be differences depending on the sports. But it was fully agreed that, as the IOC, we should place emphasis on protection of the female category.”

Meanwhile, United Nations human rights specialists have criticised the IOC’s plans to implement gender verification measures for all women athletes. Inside the Games report: “The experts described the draft plan, reportedly part of a process begun last year to ‘protect the female category’, as ethically and scientifically questionable, and said it allows arbitrary and discriminatory oversight of women competitors.”

Imane Khelif Hopes to Win Another Olympic Medal

Although a ban on transgender women competitors has been introduced ahead of the 2028 Olympics, with additional uncertainty over the differences of sexual development (DSD) athletes, Khelif hasn’t given up on her dream of winning another Olympic medal.

“Yes, God willing, I am still determined to achieve another Olympic medal,” she was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail in November. “I am working on many surprises that I have not yet announced, but God willing, we will be on the right track.

“In the Paris Olympics and after, and even now, I am still being subjected to campaigns, injustice, and new decisions from international federations, but I currently have a case in the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and God willing, it will be for the best.

“The dream continues, and the work continues, and as for the campaigns and the people who criticize, I say to them, continue, because I am developing.”