- Two transgender boxers have been authorized to compete in the Paris Olympics
- Imane Khelif from Algeria and Lin Yu-Ting from Taiwan are the boxers in question
- Viral footage shows Khelif delivering powerful punches to a former opponent
A video has surfaced on social media showing a transgender boxer—who is now eligible to compete in the Olympics—landing forceful punches on a female opponent.
Two boxers, originally barred from the world championships for being identified as biologically male, have now been cleared to participate in the Olympics as female competitors.
Controversy has arisen in Paris following the announcement that Imane Khelif from Algeria and Lin Yu-Ting from Taiwan were previously disqualified from a tournament over questions related to their biological sex.
However, IOC officials have confirmed that both athletes fulfill the necessary eligibility requirements and will compete in the upcoming days.
Notably, a viral video recently shared on X highlights Khelif’s dominance over one of her former opponents, prompting varied reactions from fans regarding her participation in the Olympics.
A video of a transgender boxer landing heavy punches on a previous female opponent has surfaced on social media.
Imane Khelif from Algeria is among the two boxers cleared to compete at the Olympics as women, following their ban from world championships.
A video showcased Khelif landing powerful strikes to the head of her Mexican opponent, Brianda Tamara, back in December 2022.
The video’s caption urged viewers to “notice the power behind Khelif’s punches” as she unleashed a barrage on her opponent.
Post-disqualification, Mexico’s Tamara shared her own account of competing against Khelif earlier in the tournament.
‘I felt far outmatched when fighting her,’ she stated on X. ‘Her punches were incredibly painful; I don’t think I’ve ever experienced that in my 13 years in boxing, not even in sparring sessions with men. I’m relieved to have exited the ring safely, and glad they recognized the situation at last.’
Both Khelif and Yu-Ting faced disqualification from the Women’s World Boxing Championships in March 2023 in New Delhi, following a series of DNA tests due to concerns regarding the biological sex of some participants.
At that time, Umar Kremlev, president of the International Boxing Association (IBA), asserted that tests had revealed that the athletes—including Khelif and Yu-Ting—had ‘XY chromosomes.’
Lin Yu-Ting from Taiwan will join Khelif in competing at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Umar Kremlev, president of the International Boxing Association, had claimed tests showed the athletes had ‘XY chromosomes’.
He added that the tests had revealed athletes attempting to deceive their peers by posing as women.
However, the IBA has been stripped of its authority to conduct Olympic boxing events amid governance concerns, and the IOC maintains that all athletes involved are eligible to compete under current regulations, which are considered less stringent than those of the IBA.
Following their disqualification last year, the Algerian Olympic Committee claimed the ruling was part of a ‘conspiracy’ aimed at preventing them from clinching a gold medal, citing ‘medical reasons’ linked to elevated testosterone levels.
