Algerian Iman Khalif after winning an Olympic medal. “They wronged me, but I have God.”

Boxer Iman Khalif, who reluctantly found herself embroiled in a major controversy over her sexual identity, won Algeria’s first medal at the Paris Olympics after beating Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori on points in the 66kg quarter-finals on Saturday.

Algerian boxer Iman Khalif has expressed her sadness and anger at the campaign she is subjected to on social networks by personalities who question her gender.

Khalifa said in statements to the BeIN Sports network: “I have been present for 8 years and, thanks to God, today I won the fight. “I have been practicing boxing for years and the International Federation has wronged me, but I have God. God is great.”

Khalifa was embroiled in a whirlwind of accusations that cast doubt on his eligibility to compete, after being suspended from the world championships last year by the International Boxing Federation and cleared to compete at the games by the International Olympic Committee.