Broadhurst quickly took to Instagram to congratulate Khelif on her victory, posting: "Very happy for this girl! Weathered the storm and got what she deserved."
During the height of the controversy surrounding Khelif, particularly after her Round of 16 win against Angela Carini on August 3, where Carini withdrew after 46 seconds, Broadhurst didn't hesitate to offer her backing amidst widespread political uproar. She said on X: "Have a lot of people texting me over Imane Khelif," adding, "Personally I don't think she has done anything to 'cheat'. I think it's the way she was born and that's out of her control. The fact that she has been [beaten] by nine females before says it all."
In the 2022 IBA World Boxing Championships in Istanbul's finals, Broadhurst made history when she became the first female from Algeria to ever reach that stage, facing off against Khelif. Although she gave a strong showing, Khelif was defeated on points by Broadhurst, adding another disappointing chapter to her history with Irish fighters after being knocked out of the 2020 Olympics, which took place in 2021, by Kellie Harrington.
The very next year at the IBA Championships, Khelif saw victory in her sights once more as she bested Janjaem Suwannapheng, making it to the finals again. But the celebrations were cut short as she was disqualified following an IBA statement that declared her ineligible due to XY chromosomes and testosterone levels exceeding their limits.
It was in 2023 when the International Olympic Committee decided to part ways with the troubled IBA amidst accusations of murky finances and connections with the Russian government. Without the IBAs oversight, their criteria enabled Khelif to get back into competition; although her win over Carini sparked a firestorm, inciting potent reactions from Tesla magnate Elon Musk and famed author JK Rowling.
Following a barrage of venomous online attacks, Khelif stepped back into the ring on August 3, delivering an impressive win against Hungary's Anna Luca Hamori. Overcome with emotion, she pounded the canvas with her glove and left the arena in tears, releasing the pressure of her ordeal.
"I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects," Khelif expressed in Arabic. "It can destroy people, it can kill people's thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying."
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