Olympic gold medalist IMane Khelif will have to compete with men or withdraw from this sport after the last world boxing government.
World Boxing, an organization that supervises the boxing program of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), will allow women only with the XX chromosomes to compete in female tournaments.
During earlier khelif procedures, a positive test for XY chromosomes due to differences in gender development disorders (DSD). Therefore, Algerian will automatically encounter disqualification from competing with women in accordance with the changed rules.
This gives 26-year-old only two options. Khelif can try to apply his success of the Golden Medal at the Olympic Games in Paris against male boxers or for a good withdrawal from this sport.
If Khelif decides on a professional, WBN expects the authorities to force the 2024 champion to compete in the men’s category. Professional organs will undoubtedly apply the recommended gender rules in an amateur code around the world.
If the world boxing classifies Khelif as a man, each sanction or managing body in a paid code would have to do the same.
Returning policy changes on Friday, it is clear that Khelif has no future on the female side of sport due to chromosome makeup.
“The fresh policy of world boxing and the introduction of tests mean that all athletes over 18 years of age who want to participate in global boxing or sanctioned competition will have to undergo a PCR genetic test (polymerase chain reaction) to determine their sex at birth and their right to compete,” they said.
“The PCR test is a laboratory technique used to detect a specific genetic material, in this case the SRY gene, which reveals the presence of a Y chromosome, which is a biological sex indicator. The test can be carried out using a nose or mouth, saliva or blood.
“Athletes who are considered men after birth, as evidenced by the presence of the Y genetic material (Sry gene) or with a difference in sexual development (DSD), in which male androgenization occurs, will be entitled to compete in the men’s category.
“Athletes who are considered women at birth, as evidenced by the presence of 20th chromosomes or the lack of genetic material of the Y chromosome (gene sry) or from DSD, in which male androgenization does not occur, will be qualified for competing in the female category.
“In accordance with the fresh policy, the National Federations will be responsible for tests and will be required to confirm the sex of their athletes during participation in global boxing competitions, ensuring a chromosomal sex certificate, determined by the PCR test.”
Imane khelif inept for the female category
The expression that confirms that Khelif is not eligible for competing, as the world box was announced, is: “failure to comply with the certification of chromosomal sex athlete or ensuring false certification will cause that the athlete will not be qualified to compete and can lead to a sanction against sports and/or national athlete federation.
“Where the results of tests for boxers who want to compete in the female category, reveal the genetic material of the Y chromosome and potential DSD, initial screening will be addressed to independent clinical specialists in the field of genetic research, hormonal profiles, anatomical tests or other assessment of hormonal profiles by medical specialists.”
Representatives of the Algerian Boxing Commission were to issue a statement at the weekend. It never came when all pages are considering the next move.
The fact that Algeria joined in September 2024 raises the question of whether world boxing informed them about his intentions on 2025 before registration.
It can be safely said that Imane Khelif will not appear in the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands next month, because the fresh rules currently mean this tournament.
The international boxing event of the Liverpool World Championships in September would be another realistic goal of Khelif, who remained only two options.
Lin Yu Ting, which won the gold medal with Khelif in Paris 2024, will be subjected to the same gender qualificity tests if he plans to fight again.