Iman Khalif withdraws from Eindhoven Boxing Cup amid Gender Test Policy

Algeria’s Olympic gold medalist boxer Iman Khalif has decided not to participate in the upcoming Eindhoven Boxing Cup in the Netherlands, amid rising scrutiny over gender testing protocols in international boxing.

The 26-year-old initially expressed her intent to compete and make a return to the ring but failed to complete the required registration by the Thursday deadline.

Tournament media officials confirmed that the decision not to participate came from Khalif herself, not the organizers.

This development follows a recent policy by World Boxing mandating gender verification tests for all boxers prior to competition.

The organization had specifically cited Iman Khalif in its announcement, stating that no athlete would be allowed to compete without undergoing a gender test.

Khalif’s withdrawal came less than a week after this policy was enacted, sparking renewed debate about gender eligibility in women’s boxing.

Read more: Algeria welcomes home Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif

Khalif, who won gold at the Paris Olympics, became the center of controversy during the Games over questions surrounding her gender eligibility.

Since then, her participation in women’s boxing events has faced ongoing scrutiny.

The situation has reignited conversations around gender policies in sports, athlete privacy, and the challenges faced by athletes navigating evolving regulatory frameworks.