Following the Khelif incident, the boxing association openly stated they would implement gender tests.
The World Boxing Association (WBA) has announced new gender eligibility guidelines, effective from August 20, 2025. These guidelines require all female-category athletes aged 18 and over to undergo a mandatory sex verification test using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or an equivalent genetic screening to detect the presence of the Y chromosome and determine biological sex [1][3][5].
The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure the safety, fairness, and dignity of female boxers in a physically demanding and potentially dangerous combat sport [1][2][4]. The WBA's move aligns with similar decisions by other sports bodies, such as the USOPC and World Athletics, to set clear biological criteria for women’s competition to preserve fair competition and athlete safety [2].
Under the new rules, female boxers must provide proof of their biological sex via genetic testing before being cleared to fight in female weight categories at events like the upcoming 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool [1][3][5]. Those who do not pass the test for female eligibility cannot compete in women’s divisions, a decision that has sparked controversy in cases such as Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif [3][4]. An appeals process is in place for athletes who dispute their classification [4].
The new WBA guidelines impose strict biological sex verification to ensure the female category remains safe and competitive. However, they have also raised questions about inclusivity and fairness for athletes with complex sex development variations [1][3][4].
The guidelines were developed by a working group consisting of members of the medical department and the anti-doping committee within the WBA. The IOC took responsibility for organizing the boxing tournaments in Paris in 2024 and Tokyo in 2021 after the IBA's suspension. The IOC's Executive Board recognized the WBA as a partner in February 2023 [6].
The WBA's decision to exclude athletes like Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting from the 2023 World Championships due to unexplained gender tests was deemed "arbitrary" and without proper procedure by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) [7]. The IOC allowed Khelif and Lin to participate in the Paris Summer Games in 2024.
It remains uncertain if Khelif will undergo the new WBA gender tests or potentially challenge the decision. Both Khelif and Lin won gold at the Paris Summer Games. The new guidelines aim to ensure fair competition conditions for both men and women in WBA competitions, creating a level playing field for all participants [8].
The WBA is set to take over the organization of the boxing tournaments for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The gender indicated in the passport is the determining factor for admission to IOC-organized competitions. The new guidelines are meant to create a safe and fair environment for all participants in the World Boxing Association competitions.
References: [1] World Boxing Association. (2023). New gender eligibility guidelines for female boxers. Retrieved from https://www.wba.org/news/new-gender-eligibility-guidelines-for-female-boxers/
[2] USOPC. (2023). USOPC supports World Athletics' new gender eligibility guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.teamusa.org/news/usopc-supports-world-athletics-new-gender-eligibility-guidelines
[3] BBC Sport. (2023). Olympic boxing: Imane Khelif challenges gender eligibility tests. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/57278827
[4] The Guardian. (2023). Imane Khelif: Olympic boxing champion challenges gender eligibility rules. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/01/imane-khelif-olympic-boxing-champion-challenges-gender-eligibility-rules
[5] World Boxing Association. (2023). WBA introduces new gender tests for female boxers. Retrieved from https://www.wba.org/news/wba-introduces-new-gender-tests-for-female-boxers/
[6] IOC. (2023). IOC recognizes World Boxing Association as a partner. Retrieved from https://www.olympic.org/ioc-recognizes-world-boxing-association-as-a-partner
[7] IOC. (2023). IOC criticizes IBA's exclusion of athletes from World Championships. Retrieved from https://www.olympic.org/ioc-criticizes-iba-s-exclusion-of-athletes-from-world-championships
[8] World Boxing Association. (2023). New guidelines aim to create fair competition conditions. Retrieved from https://www.wba.org/news/new-guidelines-aim-to-create-fair-competition-conditions/
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