Shockwaves are shaking the world of women’s sports and boxing. Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, a rising star and finalist in several international competitions, has been excluded from all women’s world championships in 2025 after a DNA test revealed that she has XY chromosomes, biologically male. According to sources close to the International Boxing Association (IBA), this test was requested directly by Elon Musk.
Imane Khelif, 25, was considered the favorite for the upcoming World Championships and the Olympics. However, her career has just taken a dramatic turn. After several rumors about her “physical masculinity,” she has reportedly been given a full DNA test at the urging of Elon Musk, who publicly says he supports “biological integrity in sports.”
The test results revealed that Khelif has XY chromosomes, typically male, which means she may have an intersex condition called androgen insensitivity. This condition, although rare, means that a person can look female despite having male genetics.
Elon Musk, already known for his controversial positions on numerous social issues, declared on X (formerly Twitter):
“Women’s competitions must remain feminine. Biological equity is a foundation of sport.”
His statement sparked a wave of reactions on social media: some accused him of transphobia, others thanked him for defending fair sport.
The IBA president later confirmed that Khelif will no longer be able to compete in the women’s categories and that a review of the eligibility criteria for all competitions will soon be implemented.
Faced with this decision, Imane Khelif reacted with emotion:
I was born and raised as a woman. I fought honestly, I never betrayed. This decision is a public humiliation. They are taking everything away from me.
She also said she would appeal to international sports tribunals, claiming she was discriminated against because of a genetic condition beyond her control.
Feminist and LGBTQ+ movements immediately expressed their support for Khelif, denouncing a witch hunt and an attack on human rights.
This scandal has reignited the heated debate over the participation of intersex and transgender people in women’s sports. Several international sports federations are under pressure to review their regulations, which oscillate between inclusion and biological equity.
Similar cases have already made headlines, most notably that of Caster Semenya, the South African Olympic champion, who was excluded from some competitions for similar reasons.
For Imane Khelif, the future is uncertain. Although some suggest she could compete in the men’s category, this prospect seems unrealistic, both physically and psychologically.
As for Elon Musk, his direct involvement in this affair fuels controversy once again: is he a defender of sports fairness or a billionaire who is overstepping the bounds in international sports business?
One thing is certain: the world of boxing and, more generally, of sport, will never be the same after this story.
