Golden girl Khelif 'a locomotive' driving Algerian women's boxing

Nacim Touami, a boxing referee whose wife is also a professional boxer, said parents are playing a pivotal role in this "real obsession with boxing now".

"Parents used to prefer volleyball or swimming for their daughters," he said. "But, after Khelif's gold medal, we've seen a real shift."

A 'phenomenon'

Manel Berkache, a former national champion who also coaches at JSA, said it was mothers, in particular, who were driving the change.

"Mothers are now the ones who register their daughters and attend training and matches, and this is a beautiful thing," she said.

Hocine Oucherif, vice-president of the Algerian Boxing Federation, called it "the Imane Khelif phenomenon".

"She is the locomotive of women's boxing in Algeria," he said. "She gave us such strong momentum."

He said over 100 female junior boxers had turned up at this year's national championship — more than double the number from last year.

It was at this competition that Kessal won gold, sparring against athletes from clubs including the Tiaret Civil Protection Club where Khelif debuted.

Like Kessal, 14-year-old Hayat Berouali, who picked up boxing less than a month ago, dreams of becoming a champion, too.

"I liked boxing after watching fights at the Olympic Games, especially those of Imane Khelif, and my parents encouraged me," she said, smiling.

AFP