A Bulgarian-Nigerian origin boxer Joana Nwamerue has fought Imane Khelif in before the Pairs Olympic Games 2024 and has come out to reveal that Imane Khelif "is a man." Joana Nwamerue who fought Khelif during a sparring match in Sofia, Bulgaria unveiled that Khelif had "male power" and used "male techniques". Joana Nwamerue found this matter important to speak about because she supports women in her own country, Bulgaria. Joana also got to know that Imane Khelif was a woman by the Algerian National Team but had secretly been biologically altered by living in the mountains. Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif Files Formal Legal Complaint For Online Harassment Following Gender Row During Paris Olympics 2024.

Joana Nwamerue, undefeated in her boxing career, opened up to Reduxx and said, "Khelif has some kind of internal issues. But he is a man. I will stay by my words until he/she does a test to prove to the world that he/she is a WOMAN. But we all know that won’t happen,”

As per Joana Nwamerue, Khelif was not respectful towards her and was mocking her by sticking the tongue out and smiling at her during their sparring session in Sofia, Bulgaria in February 2024 ahead of the Strandzha Cup. Nwamerue then mentioned, "I think we played 3-4 sparring sessions. I have a record of everything. I can confirm that this is a man to me. Male power. Men’s techniques, everything." Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif Breaks Down in Tears While Receiving Gold Medal on the Podium After Defeating Yang Liu in Women’s Welterweight Category at Paris Olympics 2024.

Nwamerue was not injured during her match with Imane Khelif, but she had concerns for the safety of the other female boxers who will face Khelif in the future. Joana Nwamerue is in the same weight class as Imane Khelif and said, "I’m a tomboy, I take a lot of hits and I know how to hold on. But the other girls are not so strong." Imane Khelif went on to win the gold medal in the women's welterweight category at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 13, 2024 08:09 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).