Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer at the centre of the gender storm to engulf this summer’s Olympics, has announced she is to turn professional. Khelif, who won women’s welterweight gold at Paris 2024 after being disqualified from the last World Championships upon being ruled to have failed a gender eligibility test,

Imane Khelif has announced her intention to turn professional after winning gold at the Olympic Games this summer. Khelif became the first Algerian female Olympic boxing gold medallist when she triumphed in the women’s welterweight category in Paris.

Neither her Olympic opponents nor her critics have been able to dampen Imane Khelif's spirit or drive. The Algerian star is now set to enter professional boxing.

Imane Khelif, fresh off her Olympic triumph in Paris, confirmed that she planned to become a professional boxer just months after snatching a gold medal.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has not been banned from boxing nor stripped of her Olympic gold medal, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the World Boxing Organisation (WBO), and her coach,

Imane Khelif won Olympic gold at the Paris Games earlier this year, but her run to the final was blighted by a gender row.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) repeatedly defended her right to compete throughout the games, while the IBA's test results and credibility were also called into question.