Trans Women and Fairness in Elite Sport: Rethinking Divisions in Women's Boxing
Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, cilt.34, sa.1, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 34 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1123/wspaj.2025-0146
- Dergi Adı: Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, SportDiscus, Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: boxing sport, gender diversity, inclusion, transgender athletes
- Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The inclusion of transgender women in elite sport has sparked polarized debates, particularly in high-impact, gender-segregated disciplines such as boxing. These debates often prioritize presumed physiological differences over principles of equity, human rights, and inclusion. This paper critically examines current eligibility policies that rely on binary sex categories and testosterone thresholds. It argues that such frameworks reflect a depoliticized and biologically deterministic view of fairness, one that marginalizes gender-diverse athletes and conflicts with the feminist values underpinning women’s sport. Through a structured review of peer-reviewed scientific literature and international sport policy documents, we examined key performance indicators including muscle mass, bone mineral density, VO2max, heart rate recovery, and technical skill. We found that no single physiological trait reliably predicts competitive advantage. Instead, athletic performance emerges from a dynamic interplay of physical, technical, and sociocultural factors, independent of sex or gender identity. The article proposes a multidimensional, performance-based classification model for elite boxing that moves beyond binary divisions. This model integrates objective physiological metrics with technical skill assessment and adaptive pathways for athletes in gender-affirming processes. It includes three categories: open performance, technical skill, and adaptive combat. The proposed framework is designed to better align safety, fairness, and inclusion in elite boxing. We conclude that sport policy must be grounded not only in scientific evidence but also in commitments to gender justice and human rights.