Algerian Imane Khelif won the gold medal at the Mediterranean Games in Oran. The young woman, vice-world champion in title, is a real star in Algeria. The Palais des Sports celebrated with dignity the child of the country.
From our special correspondent in Oran,
Outside, the sun burns the skin. Hundreds of people still hope to enter the Palais des Sports to attend the final of boxer Imane Khelif.
The silver medalist in the super-lightweight category at the 2022 World Women’s Amateur Boxing Championships in Istanbul is a real star here. ” It is a woman who represents us. We had to come here to support her. She represents the future of Algerian women “, insists with emotion a young Oranoise, visibly moved to be there.
Inside, the fights are linked, the heat is unbearable, the public is suffocating. But everyone is happy. A young woman in the stands with her child in her arms dances as the sound system spits out a piece of Cheb Khaled, child of Oran, one of the most famous Algerian singers thanks to titles like “Didi”, “Aïcha” and “C’est la vie”.
The dinghies for Imane Khelif
” The atmosphere is amazing “, says a young French boxer who came to see the women’s finals when the national anthem rang out for the young Roumaysa Boualem who beat the Turkish Ayse Cagirir. The dinghies, which show collective emotion at rallies, rise from the stands. Flags are waved and feet stamped. Still a few minutes before the star of the afternoon enters the scene.
“ Imane Khelif is a very nice girl, she has a lot of humor “says an Algerian physical trainer. ” We come to see her, because she does not have the opportunity to fight in Algeria, usually we have to be content to watch her on television », Says a handball player from the Algerian national team. After her title of vice-world champion, Imane Khelif, 23, was received by the President of the Republic. She had obtained the first silver medal in history for Algeria. Flag bearer of the Algerian delegation in Oran for the Mediterranean Games, she had obtained fifth place in Tokyo last summer. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had ardently wished his success in Oran.
One two three viva Algeria chants the audience
Shortly before 6 p.m., shorts and red jersey, the child of the country finally arrives for this long-awaited fight against the Italian Assunta Canfora. ” One two three, viva Algeria! chants the audience. The atmosphere is at its peak. We no longer hear each other in the room. Everyone has their mobile phone in hand to immortalize the event. A banner in the stands announces world champion, vice has disappeared.
Between the first two rounds, two pigeons fly over the ring, the public shouts louder and louder. End of the fight, the verdict falls, Imane Khelif wins a title at home. There she greets her audience like a soldier from the four corners of the ring, and leaves proudly to the applause.