Strongwoman competition enters national spotlight over transgender controversy

The unique winner of the 2025 World’s Strongest Girl competitors in Arlington, Texas, was stripped of the title after allegations emerged that the athlete is transgender.

Andrea Thompson, the 2018 winner, left the occasion podium this weekend after Jammie Booker gained the title.

Thompson completed in second place, only one level forward of Booker within the open girls’s class (no weight requirement). A YouTube video from what seems to be Booker’s personal channel, relationship again to 2017, reveals Booker claiming to be “trans.”

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Andrea Thompson (left) completed second to an alleged transgender athlete on the 2025 World’s Strongest Girl competitors. (Laurence Shahlaei)

A video confirmed Thompson stepping off the stage and showing to say, “These are bulls….”

In line with Strongman ArchivesBooker had not competed in girls’s occasions earlier than final June. It’s unclear whether or not Booker had beforehand competed as a person.

Following the backlash over the previous 48 hours, Official Strongman introduced that Booker could be “disqualified”, admitting he was unaware of the allegations that Booker was born male. The ruling now provides Thompson her second victory within the competitors.

“Had we been conscious, or had this been declared at any time earlier than or through the competitors, this athlete wouldn’t have been allowed to compete within the Girl’s Open class. We’re clear: opponents can solely compete within the class for the organic intercourse registered at delivery.” An official Strongman said this in an announcement on Tuesday. “The Official Strongman is inclusive and takes delight in organizing occasions that don’t discriminate towards athletes primarily based on private traits. Each athlete is welcome. However it’s our duty to make sure equity and be certain that athletes are assigned to male or feminine classes primarily based on whether or not they have been registered as male or feminine at delivery.”

Thompson shared a message from her coach, Laurence Shahlaei, congratulating her on “profitable” the occasion. Shahlaei made the put up on Monday, a day after the occasion. Shahlaei advised Fox Information Digital simply earlier than Strongman’s announcement that he was advised Thompson could be topped champion and that an official announcement could be made.

“This victory didn’t come with out controversy, however I need to make it very clear that whereas I assist and cheer for folks for being who they need to be, sport is sport and the ladies’s divisions exist for a motive.” Shahlaei wrote.

Jammie Booker is understood for having competed in solely three official Strongman occasions and profitable two of them. (iStock)

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Thompson is completed third in 2019 and second in 2022 on the identical competitors. She gained the Masters World’s Strongest Girl occasion, reserved for girls aged 40 or older.

Booker has competed in three occasions this 12 months, profitable the primary in June and inserting second in North America’s Strongest Girl. On September 14, Booker started a GoFundMe for assist getting cash to enter the competitors.

“After inserting 1st on the Rainier Basic Regional (and incomes my professional card) and inserting 2nd on the North America’s Strongest Girl competitors, I’ve certified for the following degree of competitors on the official Strongman Video games and have a very good likelihood of creating the rostrum at this occasion as effectively,” Booker wrote.

“Now comes the tough activity of financing the journey. The registration payment will likely be $285, the flight to Texas will likely be roughly $350, and the resort prices for the three-day competitors and pre-competition guidelines will likely be $900. I merely can not afford this on my small health coach finances. Profitable this competitors will open large doorways for my profession, each as an athlete and as a coach.”

Strongman stated it has tried to contact Booker, “however no response has been obtained.” On Monday, Boeker posted a video on Instagram thanking numerous folks for his or her assist in what was initially a victory.

A stack of weights within the warm-up space throughout a weightlifting occasion. (Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)

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Booker’s TikTok bio states that Booker, 28, is the “world’s strongest lesbian.” In a put up from January Boeker wrote“No, I am not a person.”

Booker’s first put up on Instagram is a photograph posing at a Planet Fitness on July 31, 2022.

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