NIGERIA’S Blessing Oraekwe has described her exclusion from the Women’s World Boxing Championships in Liverpool as “heartbreaking” after she and two of her teammates were ruled out due to delays in mandatory genetic sex tests.
The 75kg fighter was expected to represent Nigeria at the tournament, but was denied entry when her test results were not processed on time.
World Boxing introduced mandatory sex testing earlier this year under its gender eligibility policy.
Federations were informed that results could take up to 48 hours and that any test conducted after 1 September risked disqualification.
Nigeria’s women’s team, along with athletes from France and other nations, took the tests in Leeds on Monday after arriving in the UK.
However, results were only delivered on Thursday evening, by which time the competition had already begun.
“I feel so sad. My plan was to come here and dominate in the ring and take gold for my country. I worked so hard for this, and I know the sacrifices made by the Nigerian Boxing Federation to get us here,” Oraekwe told BBC Sport.
Controversial new policy
World Boxing introduced mandatory sex testing earlier this year under its gender eligibility policy.
French officials branded the decision “a profound injustice,” accusing World Boxing of failing to ensure the laboratory could deliver results on time despite assurances.
Calls for Compensation
Oraekwe has urged the governing body to take responsibility for the financial and emotional toll of the failed process.
“All I want to say is for World Boxing to compensate us, because we have spent a lot,” she said.
Nigeria’s women’s team, along with athletes from France and other nations, took the tests in Leeds on Monday after arriving in the UK.
However, results were only delivered on Thursday evening, by which time the competition had already begun.
French and Nigerian officials echoed the demand, pointing out that their boxers had spent months preparing only to be barred by what they called “a bureaucratic failure.”
World Boxing defends policy World Boxing’s acting secretary general Mike McAtee defended the policy as necessary to protect fairness and safety in the sport.
“We gave plenty of notice, but again we’re sympathetic to any boxer, coach, or federation that wasn’t able to participate. This is 100% the right policy to ensure athletes compete safely and competitively,” he said.
The governing body declined to say if any athletes had failed the tests.
Wider debate in Women’s Boxing
The controversy arises amid growing debate over gender eligibility in women’s sports.
Algerian fighter Imane Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, who were barred from the 2023 World Championships under similar rules, went on to win Olympic gold at Paris 2024 after the IOC allowed them to compete based on their passports.
Boxing has undergone major reforms following the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) loss of authority to the IOC. World Boxing was provisionally recognised as the new governing body earlier this year.
PULSE SPORTS NG