World Boxing introduces mandatory sex testing for women’s category

World Boxing, the international governing body for the sport of boxing, made a groundbreaking announcement on Wednesday regarding mandatory sex testing in the women’s category. This decision comes in the wake of the controversial victories of Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, two boxers who had previously failed sex tests but went on to win gold medals in women’s Olympic boxing in Paris.

The uproar surrounding Khelif and Yu-ting’s wins highlighted the growing concerns over males competing in women’s sports. In response, World Boxing has implemented a new policy aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future. The organization’s President, Boris van der Vorst, emphasized the importance of maintaining safety and fairness in combat sports like boxing while also promoting inclusivity.

The new policy, titled ‘Sex Age and Weight,’ requires national teams to verify the biological sex of their athletes using PCR or genetic screening tests before entering them into competitions. Failure to provide certification of chromosomal sex will result in the athlete being deemed ineligible to compete and could lead to sanctions against both the athlete and their national team.

This policy will be put into effect just in time for the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, starting on September 4. World Boxing has communicated this requirement to all member National Federations, urging them to begin the testing process promptly.

In a recent letter to Khelif’s national team, the Algerian Boxing Federation, World Boxing outlined the mandatory sex testing and the requirement for Khelif to pass one in order to participate in the Eindhoven Box Cup in June. Khelif ultimately decided to skip the tournament.

President Donald Trump also weighed in on the issue, stating that there will be a “strong form of testing” for potential genetic testing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The introduction of mandatory sex testing in women’s boxing marks a significant step towards ensuring fairness, integrity, and safety in the sport. As the world of sports continues to evolve, organizations like World Boxing are taking proactive measures to address complex issues and uphold the values of competition.