Algerian boxer controversy: Sparring partner's explosive claims
Controversies surrounding the gender of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif seem never-ending. Her former sparring partner, Joana Nwamerue, has decided to speak up. Her words are not likely to please the 2024 Olympic gold medalist.
7:02 AM EDT, August 15, 2024
During the 2024 Olympic Games, there was no shortage of controversies. One involved Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, and it all began after her first fight. She needed only 46 seconds to defeat Angela Carini, as the Italian gave up the fight.
The situation gained attention when Khelif reached the finals of the 2023 World Championships and was disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to high levels of testosterone in her body.
The Algerian became an Olympic champion during the competitions in Paris. However, the dispute over her gender led her to file a complaint with the prosecutor's office, involving well-known individuals such as J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk.
It is possible that someone who had the opportunity to train with Khelif will soon join this group. Bulgarian-Nigerian boxer Joana Nwamerue, who was her sparring partner, spoke out on the matter.
- Khelif has some internal problems. But she is a man. I will stick to my words until she undergoes a test to prove to the world that she is a woman. But we all know that won't happen. (...) I think we had 3-4 sparring sessions. I have a record of everything. For me, she is a man. Male strength. Male techniques, everything - confessed Nwamerue, as quoted by the online magazine "Reduxx".
- Members of her team came to me and said: 'Imane is not a man. She is a woman; she just lives high in the mountains with her relatives, so there might have been changes in her testosterone, chromosomes, and things like that.' My coach and I thought that was impossible. There are people living in the mountains everywhere. It's absurd - she added.
