IMANE KHELIF has revealed plans to compete in a different weight class at the 2028 Olympics after changes to the rules for the Los Angeles Games.
Khelif, 25, is setting out to win a second gold medal after she found herself at the centre of a gender row along with Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting at the Paris Games last summer.
Imane Khelif is set to fight in a heavier weight class for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles[/caption]
Khelif won welterweight gold at the Paris 2024 Games after seeing her participation wrapped in controversy[/caption]
Khelif and Lin’s participation at Paris 2024 – where they won welterweight and featherweight gold respectively – sparked international outrage.
The duo took part at the Games 18 months after being banned from the Women’s World Championships for allegedly failing a gender eligibility test.
Tests administered by the International Boxing Association are said to have determined that Khelif and Yu-Ting have male XY chromosomes.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), however, permitted the duo to compete – much to the fury of the IBA – who have taken legal action against the Olympics’ governing body.
But it hasn’t stopped Khelif – who is also planning to turn pro – from wanting to return to the ring in LA in search of even more Olympic glory.
The Algerian puncher told Spanish outlet Marca that she is returning in 2028 and that she will be looking to compete in a heavier weight class after rule changes means she is unlikely to be able to fight as a welterweight.
The welterweight class in Los Angeles has been confirmed as being between 60-65kg, lighter than the 66kg that Khelif came in at in Paris.
“I’m focused on achieving a second Olympic gold in 2028, as well as preparing for the transition to professional,” Khelif said.
Khelif competed at 66kg as a welterweight in the Paris Games[/caption]
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“What I want is to do a perfect job, to arrive in better shape than I did in Paris, given that I now have greater mental and physical balance.
“For the transition to professional, I’ll be waiting for a good contract, and the best offer will convince me.
“With the change in weight classes, I have to compete at 70kg. In Paris, I won at 66 kg, but I don’t think this increase will be difficult for me.
“I’m 1.80m tall and I’m studying with the team how to best adapt to the new division.”
The light-middleweight class in LA will be between 65-70kg, while the middleweight has been confirmed as being between 70-75kg.
Khelif’s participation in the 2028 games was thrown into doubt in February when US President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender women from competing in female events.
But Khelif has insisted that she isn’t intimidated by the President, telling ITV: “I am not transgender.
“This does not concern me and it does not intimidate me.
“Of course, I defend with everything I have this gold medal… I continue my dream, my everything.”
Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender women from competing in female event in February[/caption]