CURRENT TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S BOXING COMPETITIONS

Abstract

Abstract. Introduction. Over the past two decades, women’s boxing has progressed from lifted bans to full inclusion in the Olympic programme. Adjustments to quotas and weight categories up to Paris 2024, the unification of IBA regulations, and the expansion of World Championships have reshaped access conditions, safety requirements, and training models, while retaining a number of structural constraints. Purpose. To analyse current trends in the development of international women’s boxing competitions; outline the dynamics in the number of athletes and participating countries; trace the evolution of Olympic weight categories; examine regulatory and organisational changes (AIBA/IOC); and identify key challenges (gender inequality, safety, staffing) and potential implications for Ukrainian boxing. Methods. Documentary analysis of IOC decisions and IBA regulations; retrospective and comparative analysis of official World Championships (2001–2023) and Olympic Games (2012–2024) records; analytical-descriptive interpretation of public debates on attire/equipment and governance architecture; a Ukraine case analysis; data visualisation; and methods of mathematical statistics. Results. There is substantial growth in the number of countries and participants at women’s World Championships and a convergence of Olympic weight configurations (6 women’s vs. 7 men’s categories in 2024). Updated technical requirements raise safety standards and unify officiating, influencing periodisation, weight management, and preparation. Persistent challenges include access asymmetries due to the “no expansion” constraint on the Olympic programme, sensitivity to intervals between weight classes, debates over attire norms, and male dominance in governance. For Ukraine-given its later institutional entry-priorities include adaptation to the Olympic weight grid, broadening the technical-tactical arsenal (especially close-range work), strengthening coaching capacity, and building comprehensive medical-biological support. Conclusions. Progress in women’s boxing stems from the interplay of regulatory evolution and quantitative growth; however, its sustainability depends on balancing inclusivity with programme manageability, ensuring evidence-based preparation, and increasing women’s participation in decision-making. For Ukraine, priorities are early talent engagement, standardised weight management, specialised periodisation, and development of human resources.