Imane Khelif (Algerian Amateur Boxer) Biography

Quick Info

Profession	Amateur Boxer
Nationality	Algerian
Date of Birth	02/05/1999
Age	27 years
Birthplace	Laghouat, Algeria

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Bio/Wiki

Debut	2016 National Championship
Weight Classes	Light welterweight Welterweight Lightweight
Stance	Orthodox
Coach/Mentor	Mohamed Al-Shawa
Achievements	Gold at African Amateur Boxing Championship, Maputo (Light welterweight) - 2022 Gold at Mediterranean Games, Oran (Light welterweight) - 2022 Gold at Arab Games, Algiers (Welterweight) - 2023 Silver at IBA World Boxing Championship, Istanbul (Light welterweight) - 2022 Gold at Paris 2024 Summer Olympics (Women's welterweight) - 2024 Gold at Istanbul Bosphorus International Boxing Tournament (Light welterweight) - 2021
Main Records	First Algerian female boxer to reach the final at the 2022 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships First Algerian woman to win Olympic gold in boxing - 2024 First Algerian female boxer to compete in the Olympics - 2021
Honors	Appointed UNICEF ambassador to Algeria (2024-25) Best Algerian Athlete (2021, 2022)

Physical Stats & More

Height	178 cm
Weight	65 Kg
Eye Color	Black
Hair Color	Black

Educational Qualification(s)

Sports Science and Technology Institute, Aïn Benian, Algiers

Personal Life

Religion	Islam
Hobbies	Cooking

Family

Father	Omar Khelif (welder in the oil industry)
Siblings	Youngest in a modest family

Career

Overview	Imane Khelif's journey in boxing began in her childhood, fueled by a passion that emerged from her childhood experiences of fighting with boys in her village. Despite initial resistance from her father, she relentlessly pursued her boxing dreams, travelling considerable distances for training and overcoming various challenges, including financial ones. Her tenacity paid off as she achieved notable success in national and international competitions, including her participation in the Olympics. She relocated to Nice, France in 2022 to join the Nice Azur club for better training facilities and international exposure.

Overview

Imane Khelif's journey in boxing began in her childhood, fueled by a passion that emerged from her childhood experiences of fighting with boys in her village. Despite initial resistance from her father, she relentlessly pursued her boxing dreams, travelling considerable distances for training and overcoming various challenges, including financial ones. Her tenacity paid off as she achieved notable success in national and international competitions, including her participation in the Olympics. She relocated to Nice, France in 2022 to join the Nice Azur club for better training facilities and international exposure.

Favourites

Favorite Boxer	Muhammad Ali

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. At 16, Khelif played football in her village.
2. Initially, her father opposed her boxing career.
3. Her interest in boxing started as a child through playful fights with boys.
4. Traveled 10 kilometers each week for training, funding her bus fare by selling scrap metal.
5. Made her boxing debut at the age of 19.
6. Competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics in the lightweight event.
7. Disqualified from the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships final for medical reasons.
8. Cleared eligibility and medical requirements to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
9. Once finished a match in 46 seconds after her opponent withdrew.
10. Relocated to Nice, France in 2022 to join the Nice Azur club for better training facilities.
11. Amateur boxing record: 37 wins, 9 losses, 5 knockouts.
12. Born in Aïn Sidi Ali, a small town in Laghouat, Algeria.
13. Sold homemade bread and couscous by the roadside to support her training.
14. In August 2020, got lost in the forest while training in Tikjda and spent the night under the stars before being found.

Imane Khelif Amateur Boxer Algerian Laghouat, Algeria