Olympic Boxing Champion Imane Khelif Appeals Against World Boxing Rule Restricting Coaching Staff

Summary – Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif appeals to CAS challenging World Boxing’s rule on coaching staff eligibility.,

Article –

Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against a World Boxing rule restricting the presence of certain members of her coaching staff during competitions. This appeal challenges a regulation that limits the number and eligibility of coaches allowed ringside at official bouts.

What Happened?

In September 2025, World Boxing, the governing body for amateur boxing, enforced a rule imposing restrictions on coaching staff attendance at competitions. Imane Khelif, a gold medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, was directly impacted when a key coach was barred from ringside authorization at an international event. Subsequently, Khelif filed an appeal to CAS to overturn this rule and restore her full coaching team’s access.

Key Figures and Timeline

• Imane Khelif – Algeria’s leading boxer and multiple international champion.
• World Boxing’s rule – introduced earlier in 2025, restricting coaching personnel to a limited number and excluding non-recognized support members.
• CAS hearing – scheduled for late October 2025 to review the appeal.

Verified Statistics and Impact

Khelif boasts a gold medal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has remained undefeated in major tournaments since 2021. The contested rule affects not only her coaching strategy and preparation but also has wider implications on team strategies during the 2025-2026 season.

Official Quotes

1. Imane Khelif: “The support from my full coaching team is critical for my peak performance. This rule unjustly limits my ability to compete at the highest level. I trust CAS to ensure fairness and uphold athletes’ rights.”
2. World Boxing officials: The regulation “aims to standardize coaching presence and maintain the integrity of competitions. However, we are cooperating fully with CAS proceedings.”

Immediate Consequences

While the CAS appeal is pending, Khelif faces restrictions on managing her coaching staff during upcoming events, notably the 2025 World Boxing Championships in November. This could impact her training and competitive edge significantly.

Reactions from Stakeholders

• Mixed responses from athletes and coaches about the need for regulation vs. individual athlete support.
• Fans widely support Khelif through social media campaigns advocating athlete autonomy.

Next Fixtures and Follow-Up Actions

Imane Khelif is set to compete at the November 2025 World Boxing Championships. The enforcement of this rule there will be closely observed, and the CAS ruling may establish a precedent for coaching policies globally.

What Comes Next?

The CAS decision will likely influence future World Boxing regulations, balancing fairness, athlete support, and competition integrity ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

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Bhavya

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