Tunisia Boxer Khouloud Al-Halimi dreams big for Paris 2024 Olympics

FRANCE 24 English

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00:00 With an iron fist and unbreakable determination, Tunisian boxer Khouloud Al-Halimi is not pulling

00:10 any punches as she prepares for Paris 2024.

00:13 Dancing across the ring, she is not afraid to trade blows with her opponent.

00:18 The 34-year-old has one goal - become the first Tunisian woman to win an Olympic medal

00:23 in boxing.

00:24 "The Olympic Games represent a culmination of my career, encompassing all my training

00:31 and efforts.

00:33 Being nominated for the Olympics means standing out, if you are an Olympic athlete or not,

00:38 and the most important thing is representing your country."

00:44 Over her 18-year career, Al-Halimi has secured several titles in the flyweight and superflyweight

00:50 categories including the 2024 Nelson Mandela Africa Cup, the 2023 African Championship

00:56 and the 2019 African Games.

00:59 Now with Al-Halimi's second Olympic qualification secured, Tunisia's hopes for Olympic glory

01:04 in boxing rest on her shoulders.

01:07 "You know that boxing in Tunisia hasn't had a medal since 1996, an Olympic medal.

01:16 I hope that it will be by my hand, God willing, just to make Tunisia, all Tunisian people

01:21 and all Arabs happy."

01:24 Women's boxing in Tunisia does not receive much attention from authorities or support

01:28 from fans and clubs.

01:30 However, despite facing criticisms and doubts about her stature in the sport, Al-Halimi

01:35 has the national federation in her corner.

01:39 "Khulud's nomination is a historic achievement.

01:43 He is truly the pride of Tunisian boxing and women's boxing especially."

01:49 Al-Halimi hopes that Paris 2024 will see her name engraved in gold, affirming her excellence

01:55 in a sport traditionally dominated by men.

01:57 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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