World record holder and Nigerian sprint hurdler, Tobi Amusan, will be among female athletes required to undergo mandatory genetic gender testing under new eligibility rules introduced by World Athletics ahead of the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

According to the updated policy, effective September 1, 2025, all athletes competing in the female category must complete a one-time genetic test to confirm their biological sex. The test will check for the SRY gene—a marker typically found on the Y chromosome—through either a cheek swab or blood sample.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe defended the move, saying it is essential to ensure fairness in women’s sports.

> “At the elite level, to compete in the female category, you must be biologically female. Gender cannot trump biology,” Coe stated. “We are grateful to our Member Federations for their support in implementing these regulations.”

The decision stems from recommendations by the Gender Diverse Athlete Working Group and consolidates existing policies regarding transgender and DSD (Differences of Sex Development) athletes into a single, standardized requirement.

Amusan, the 2022 world champion and current 100m hurdles world record holder, is currently preparing to defend her national title at the Nigerian Championships in Lagos, scheduled for August 1–3, as part of her build-up to the World Championships starting September 13 in Tokyo.