Olympic boxing gold medalist Imane Khelif has refuted her former manager’s claims that she’s retired, affirming her ongoing training regimen.
Algerian athlete Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting gained attention at last year’s Paris Games over eligibility issues after being disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by the IBA, citing sex chromosome test results.
Despite this, both competed and triumphed in the women’s category in Paris after clearance from the International Olympic Committee, securing gold medals in their respective weight divisions.
Since her Paris victory, Khelif has not entered any competitions.
In a recent Nice-Matin interview, Khelif’s ex-manager Nasser Yesfah claimed she had “left the world of boxing.”
Later, Yesfah clarified to the same publication that his comments only pertained to Khelif’s boxing activities in Nice, where she was part of the Nice Azur club.
Khelif responded on Facebook, criticizing Yesfah’s statements.
“These allegations come from someone who no longer represents me, whom I believe has betrayed my trust and my country with false and harmful claims,” Khelif stated.
“I have never declared my retirement from boxing. I am fully committed to my career, regularly training in Algeria and Qatar for future events.
“These rumors aim solely to disrupt my sports and professional life.”
Khelif planned to compete in a World Boxing tournament in the Netherlands in June but withdrew after the organization announced plans for mandatory sex testing.
World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst later apologized for including Khelif in their sex testing announcement, acknowledging her privacy should have been respected.
At 26, Khelif maintains she was born female and has a long-standing history in women’s boxing. She announced her intent to defend her title at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
