Controversy Surrounds Women’s Strongman Competition Results
The outcome of a recent women’s strongman competition has sparked outrage among fans and supporters of female athletes. Several competitors are voicing their concerns after a transgender athlete, who was assigned male at birth, took the top spot in the women’s division.
Held over the weekend in Arlington, Texas, Jammy Booker emerged victorious, defeating nine female competitors. Reports indicate that the organizers were unaware that a biologically male athlete was participating in the women’s event. Booker scored 47 points, narrowly edging out Andrea Thompson, who finished with 46 points, and Alila-Joy Cowley, who came in third with 39 points.
Social media footage surfaced showing Thompson, visibly frustrated on the podium. In her own words, she expressed her disappointment, stating, “This is bulls**t.” Following the event, she shared several posts on Instagram underscoring her belief that a different contestant should have been deemed the true winner, and her audience seemed to largely agree with her sentiment.
In a video posted online, Booker thanked supporters for their encouragement, acknowledging the mental and emotional challenges faced during the competition. He described the other contestants as “badass women” and mentioned feeling honored to compete alongside them, yet he was surprised by his win.
Booker, who identifies with female pronouns, lists titles such as “Professional Strong Woman” and “World’s Strongest Woman 2025” on their page. Despite raising over $1,500 through a GoFundMe campaign for registration and travel costs, there are claims that the total expenses reached around $900.
After the backlash, the organizing body released a statement indicating that they were unaware of Booker’s gender specifics prior to the event. They clarified that had they known, Booker wouldn’t have been allowed to compete in the women’s category. The statement emphasized that competitors are restricted to entering events based on their biological sex assigned at birth.
While a new winner was not announced, the organization confirmed that Booker was disqualified and that the rankings would be modified accordingly.
Female powerlifter Morgan Irons criticized Booker’s participation, arguing that it undermined opportunities for biological women, depriving them of awards, recognition, and chances for national competitions. Additionally, Jennifer Sey, a noted sports activist, asserted that incidents like this highlight a pressing issue, stating that women are being erased from their own sports categories and protections.
Booker’s title has raised discussions about fairness and inclusion within athletics, indicating that there is still much to explore in this ongoing debate. Requests for comments from Booker went unanswered.
