Algerian Woman Boxer, Gold Medalist Imane Khelif, who recently won the 66 kg women’s boxing title in Paris Olympic 2024, is found actually a man. Imane again at the centre of the gender-related story which erupted in Paris this year.
A leaked medical report has confirmed the Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, has internal testicles and XY chromosomes. As per the report hints at a disorder called 5-alpha reductase insufficiency, according to document accessed by French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia.
About the Medical report of Imane Khelif
The report, prepared by experts from Kremlin-Bicetre Hospital in Paris and Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital in Algiers in June 2023. This reports provides detailed information about Khelif’s biological characteristics. It describes internal testicles, the absence of a uterus, and mentions that an MRI indicated the presence of a micropenis, according to Redux.
According to Aoudia, after the MRI test, Khelif also had a chromosomal test, which confirmed that the Algerian has an XY karyotype. A hormone test showed that Khelif’s testosterone levels were typical for males.
Doctors suggested that Khelif’s parents might have been related by blood, Aoudia claimed. The report recommended that Khelif undergo “surgical correction and hormone therapy,” along with psychological support.
In the year 2023, Khelif was banned by the International Boxing Association (IBA) from competing in the World Championship Gold Medal fight in New Delhi.
What is 5-alpha reductase insufficiency?
It is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutation in the SRD5A2 gene, due to insufficiency of 5-alpha reductase. The latter enzyme converts testosterone into DHT, which is very important for male sexual development. It is for this reason that sometimes infants are born with ambiguous genitalia. With increased testosterone, some male traits can be developed at puberty. The diagnosis supported by hormone and genetic tests. Hormone therapy, surgery, and psychological support are available treatments.
