Olympic women’s boxing gold medalist Imane Khelif has been confirmed to be male, a leaked medical report has revealed.
Khelif has been under intense scrutiny following allegations that he is biologically male, despite competing as female.
The Algerian professional boxer doesn’t claim to be transgender and insists he’s a biological female.
However, a medical report—reportedly stemming from the 2023 World Championships—has emerged, indicating Khelif’s sex test confirms male chromosomes, according to multiple outlets.
The controversy broke just two days after World Boxing announced Khelif would need to undergo sex verification testing to remain eligible for women’s events.
Khelif, who represented Algeria in Paris and won gold, was allowed to compete despite longstanding questions about his eligibility.
“Chromosome analysis reveals male karyotype,” states the document, seen by 3 Wire Sports via Telegraph Sport.
The report, dated March 17, 2023, appears on the letterhead of Dr Lal PathLabs, a reputable New Delhi-based lab accredited by the American College of Pathologists and ISO-certified.
Journalist Alan Abrahamson first brought attention to the allegations at the Paris Games and published the findings that reignited global debate about fairness in women’s sports.
World Boxing has responded by updating its eligibility standards.
In a letter to the Algerian Boxing Federation, the organization declared:
“Imane Khelif may not participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup, 5-10 June 2025, and any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules and testing procedures.”
The letter further explained:
“In May 2025, the Executive Board exercised this authority and adopted new eligibility criteria for participation in sex-specific boxing categories.
“These new eligibility rules were developed with the express purpose of safeguarding athletes in combat sports, particularly given the physical risks associated with Olympic-style boxing.”
The new policy mandates that all athletes over 18 must undergo PCR testing for genetic sex verification.
According to World Boxing, “the PCR test is a laboratory technique used to detect specific genetic material, with the SRY gene revealing the presence of the Y chromosome, which is an indicator of biological sex.”
Samples may be taken via swab, saliva, or blood.
Khelif had previously expressed his intent to defend his gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
He even dared President Donald Trump to try to stop him from fighting women during the Olympics.
However, World Boxing’s updated “Sex, Age and Weight” policy casts significant doubt on his eligibility moving forward.
The governing body reiterated its stance:
“…in the event the athlete’s sex certification is challenged by the athlete’s federation or by World Boxing, the athlete shall be ineligible to compete until the dispute is resolved…”
This isn’t the first time Khelif faced questions about his sex status.
He was disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) in 2023 for reportedly failing similar gender eligibility protocols.
Khelif isn’t alone in the Paris controversy.
Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting also drew criticism after winning gold in the women’s event despite being banned by the IBA in 2023 for posing as female.
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