Imana Kleif, a boxer from Algeria who sparked controversy at the 2024 Olympics in Paris regarding gender issues, noted that she underwent hormone therapy to lower her testosterone levels before winning the gold medal. She confirmed her readiness to undergo all necessary tests to participate in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
In an interview with French journalists, Kleif stated that her testosterone level was reduced to zero under medical supervision before the Paris Olympics. She emphasized that she is not transgender: "I am a girl. That’s how I was raised, and I have always been a girl. People in my village know me as a girl."
The 26-year-old athlete provided her medical documents and hormone test results to World Boxing, assuring that she is ready to undergo all necessary checks for participation in the 2028 Olympics.
A new weight category will be introduced in women's boxing at the 2028 Olympics, which will help level the competition with men's boxing. Kleif, who won gold in the 66 kg weight class at the Paris Olympics, intends to compete in the 70 kg category. "I am 1.80 m tall, and my team and I are studying how to best adapt to the new weight category," she added.
The 2028 Olympic Games will begin on July 14 in Los Angeles, and Kleif is expected to be among the favorites in women's boxing.
