The world of boxing has been shaken by an unprecedented turn of events. Algerian boxer Imane Khelif , previously considered one of the greatest prospects in women’s sports, has been banned for life by the WBO (World Boxing Organization) after the entity officially confirmed the athlete’s male identity . With this decision, Khelif will lose all the medals won throughout her career and will be forced to return approximately US$25 million in prize money and sponsorships.
The WBO investigation, which lasted more than six months, was launched after internal complaints and a series of biomedical tests required by the international regulatory commission. The results confirmed that Khelif has biological characteristics incompatible with the female category and that, at no time, she officially communicated her condition to the sports authorities.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, the WBO stated:
“After a thorough review of the medical and regulatory data, the WBO recognizes that Imane Khelif competed improperly in the women’s category. As a result, all her achievements, medals and financial awards are officially annulled. The athlete is permanently banned from all competitions sanctioned by the organization.”
Imane Khelif, 25, rose to prominence representing Algeria at the Olympic Games and world championships, winning numerous titles and amassing a fortune through multi-million dollar contracts. Her rise was celebrated as a symbol of female empowerment in Arab sport, which makes her fall from grace all the more dramatic.
The decision has divided opinions. Many athletes and sports ethics experts defend the punishment as fair and necessary to ensure equity in women’s competitions. On the other hand, there are those who criticize the way in which the situation was exposed publicly, causing embarrassment and possible violation of personal rights.
So far, Imane Khelif has not made an official statement . Her legal team promises to appeal the decision in international courts, claiming that the athlete had no intention of deceiving and that she followed all the guidelines established until then.
The scandal reignites the debate on gender, biology and inclusion in sport , an increasingly sensitive and central issue in the global competitive scene.
