WWE star Sami Zayn throws his support behind Imane Khelif – as he calls for ‘b****asses online to get the help they need’ after ‘bigoted’ attacks on boxer at the centre of gender storm
- Khelif defeated Thai opponent Janjaem Suwannapheng to set up a draw for the gold medal
- The 25-year-old previously urged Olympic fans to ‘not bully’
- Algerian to battle Chinese Liu Yang in Paris for ultimate prize
Muslim WWE wrestler Sami Zayn has come to the defense of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif after the fighter at the center of a controversy over her alleged “gender nonconformity” secured her a spot in the Olympic gold medal match following her victory on Tuesday night.
Khelif defeated Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng on points in a replay of their 2023 World Championship semi-final – and an IBA event. The replay came moments before she was disqualified from the competition after reportedly failing gender ineligibility tests.
The 25-year-old was fiercely defended by the IOC for her participation in the competition in Paris, after widespread misinformation circulated that Khelif was born ‘biologically male’.
After defeating her first opponent in the French capital, Angela Carini, after the Italian withdrew after just 46 seconds, Khelif was closely watched as she progressed in the women’s welterweight competition.
But Zayn – real name Rami Sebei – called on Khelif to give it her all in the ring during her upcoming gold medal match against China’s Liu Yang, while supporting her.
Sami Zayn – real name Rami Sebei – supported beleaguered boxer Imane Khelif
The Algerian fighter secured her spot in the gold medal match after her victory on Tuesday
Zayn congratulated Khelif on her performance on social media on Tuesday night
“Kudos to Muslim sister Imane Khelif who went on to the Olympics today to box for the gold medal after being met with some of the most idiotic, intolerant comments I have ever seen an Olympic athlete make,” Zayn wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
‘Inshallah she wins the grand prize and the b****asses online get the help they need.’
Khelif went into her semi-final against Suwannepheng to loud Algerian support in the stands and thanked her compatriots for supporting her after the victory.
“I’m focused,” Khelif said. “I’m here for a good performance and my dream. I’ll give everything I have for the final.”
“I am very happy. I am very happy with all the support here in Paris. I want to thank all the people from Algeria who came here.”
Earlier this week, in her first interview, Khelif urged Olympic fans to “not bully athletes” and “not forget the Olympic Charter” in light of the abuse she has faced.
The 25-year-old defeated Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng via unanimous points victory
Kehlif was loudly supported by her compatriots in the stands of the Roland Garros stadium
Although Khelif has the backing of the IOC, which also gave the green light to select Lin Yu-ting, a Chinese fighter who was disqualified by the IBA on the same grounds, the embattled boxing association continued to defend its position during a chaotic press conference on Monday.
IBA President Umar Kremlev hurled insults at the IOC, calling President Thomas Bach a “sodomite.” He then confirmed the IBA test results, though he did not provide further explanation about the nature of the tests.
The IBA claims that both Khelif and Lin have “male XY chromosomes,” but has not disclosed what tests were conducted to reach this conclusion.
Lin will fight her featherweight semi-final against Esra Yildiz Kahraman on Wednesday evening.