Olympic champion boxer barred from Women's World Championships over gender controversy

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif poses with the gold medal in the women's 66kg boxing at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 9, 2025. Photo by AP

This decision stems from the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) previous gender testing, which disqualified her from last year's event.

In 2023, the IBA conducted a DNA test revealing that Khelif possesses XY chromosomes, leading the organization to assert that she "has an advantage over other women" and ruled her out of the world championship that year.

The association also noted irregularities in Khelif’s results at the 2022 World Championships in Istanbul, though it did not specify the nature of those tests.

Despite the IBA’s findings, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed Khelif to compete as a female athlete at the 2024 Paris Olympics, based on her eligibility in documents such as her passport and medical records. This policy aligned with procedures used at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and other international events.

The IOC’s decision directly contradicted the IBA’s stance, sparking criticism and controversy surrounding Khelif and another athlete, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting.

The IOC’s disagreement with the IBA ultimately led to the establishment of the 2024 Paris Boxing Union (PBU), which replaced the IBA as the IOC-recognized body for overseeing Olympic boxing. In response, the IBA criticized the IOC for creating what it called inconsistent rules, claiming these measures raise questions about fairness and athlete safety.

Despite the IOC's approach, IBA general secretary and CEO Chris Roberts confirmed the organization's intention to maintain gender eligibility testing at this year's championships.

"Imane Khelif cannot compete in the World Championships because she does not meet the required criteria. Our technical regulations are clear regarding the necessary conditions that must be met," Roberts said at a press conference on Feb. 4, as quoted by BGNES.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Khelif excelled in the women’s boxing competition, defeating Angela Carini of Italy, Anna Luca Hamori of Hungary, and Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand to reach the final. She then beat China’s Yang Liu, earning Algeria’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in boxing.

While competing in Paris, Khelif gave an interview to call for an end to criticism because it can "destroy the body, kill the thoughts, spirit and mind of a person". She also considered winning the gold medal as the best way to respond to the pressure caused by the gender controversy.

The 2025 Women's World Boxing Championships is set to take place from March 8–16 in Nis, the largest city in southern Serbia. More than 200 boxers from 39 countries will participate in the tournament.