Powerlifter Advocates for Gender Testing in Women’s Sports

Morgan Irons, a competitive powerlifter, has stated that gender testing and background checks are essential to maintaining the exclusivity of women’s sports for women. Her remarks come after male athlete Jamie Booker secured the title of “World’s Strongest Woman” by winning against nine female competitors at the 2025 Official Strongman Games.

In a conversation with a media outlet, Irons claimed Booker not only had an apparent advantage but also allegedly mistreated female athletes in the sport. Initially, she described their interaction as mentoring, with him offering advice and encouragement through messages. “I try to be a positive person, and I first learned that from Jamie,” she noted, recalling how Booker praised her efforts in her videos.

However, things took a turn. “I started noticing something off about him. I thought, ‘This doesn’t make sense.’ I had my own doubts,” she reflected. When she sought opinion from others, she was told to stay quiet, fearing backlash if she was mistaken or perceived as prejudiced.

Since then, Irons mentioned that she periodically checks in on Booker’s activities during competitions. It was then that she realized he might have exploited his position to dominate female competitors. Irons revealed that Booker, at times, expressed his eagerness to compete against and triumph over women, which she found odd given his relatively recent entry into the sport. “He’s been around less than a year. What’s the rush to challenge the top female athlete?” she said.

Attempts to contact Booker for clarification about these claims received no response. Irons noted that negative comments weren’t limited to him, as social media reactions often criticized her stamina and urged her to “work harder,” which, of course, doesn’t quite account for biological differences.

Irons referred to such remarks as “just… a slap in the face.” After the incident, Booker was stripped of his title, but Irons is insisting this should mark a turning point, advocating for medical testing to prevent future occurrences.

While there’s resistance to invasive methods like “genital exams” for confirming gender, as historically suggested by some, Irons supports simpler methods like cheek swabs for DNA and proper identification. She expressed disbelief that her ID isn’t checked each time she competes, especially given that many states now permit legal gender changes.

Irons emphasized the importance of protecting women’s sports, not just for the current generation but for future athletes as well. “You have to speak up. This isn’t just for yourself but for the next generation,” she declared. “We’ve allowed this to escalate for too long, and that’s why we face such situations now.” She feels that women share some responsibility for letting things go unchecked.

Echoing her sentiments, former U.S. national champion gymnast Jennifer Seyi stated that allowing men in women’s sports is unacceptable. She expressed her disgust about men entering competitions traditionally reserved for women, highlighting the arrogance and disrespect involved.