A major controversy has erupted in Texas after a biologically male competitor was crowned the winner of a women’s strongwoman event, only to be stripped of the title days later when organisers confirmed that the athlete had not disclosed being transgender. The incident, which unfolded at the 2025 Official Strongman Games in Arlington, has sparked heated discussions across the sporting community and renewed debate about fairness in female categories.
The competition began like any other, with athletes from across the world gathering to test their strength in a series of intense events ranging from deadlifts to overhead log presses. By the final stage, the Women’s Open division appeared to have its champion: Jammie Booker, who finished narrowly ahead of British competitor Andrea Thompson by a single point. The initial announcement was met with applause, camera flashes, and the typical celebrations that follow a world-level victory.
But within hours, murmurs of concern began circulating both inside the venue and online. Spectators and fellow competitors pointed to earlier social media posts and past interviews suggesting that Booker was biologically male. These concerns intensified when clips resurfaced of Booker identifying as a trans woman several years prior. Athletes who participated in the event said they had no prior knowledge of this, and frustrations began to mount among those who felt blindsided by the revelation.
The turning point came during the medal ceremony. As the podium was being arranged, Thompson, a respected and decorated strongwoman champion, stepped off the stage in visible protest. Her frustration was caught on camera and quickly went viral. Many athletes echoed her sentiments, arguing that they had trained for years to compete against biological females and expected the event’s organisers to enforce standard eligibility rules.
In the days that followed, officials from the Official Strongman Games conducted a review of Booker’s registration documents. According to event policy, athletes must compete in the category that corresponds to their biological sex at birth unless full disclosure and specific approval are granted in advance. Investigators concluded that Booker had not declared being born male, meaning organisers were unaware of this information when approving the Women’s Open registration.
Once confirmed, the committee issued a formal statement disqualifying Booker from the Women’s Open division. The decision not only voided the win but also reassigned the championship title to Thompson, who had originally placed second. The athlete who finished in third position, Allira-Joy Cowley of Australia, was elevated to runner-up.
While many competitors welcomed the decision, the incident exposed deeper fault lines within the sport. Several female athletes expressed anger, saying the emotional toll and reputational damage could not be undone simply by adjusting the podium results. They argued that biological advantages, such as bone density, muscle mass distribution, and overall power output, could significantly alter outcome fairness in strength-based competitions.
Some sponsors also reacted swiftly. At least one brand associated with the event reportedly severed ties with Booker, citing misrepresentation and breach of integrity. For athletes, fairness and trust are central to competition, and this episode has introduced new concerns about verification procedures that rely heavily on self-reporting.
However, reactions were not universal. Supporters of transgender athletes cautioned against what they described as a “reactionary backlash” and urged the community to consider the complexities of gender identity and sports regulation. They argued that the issue highlights the need for clearer policies rather than harsh judgements directed at individuals.
Still, the dominant sentiment from most female competitors remained focused on the principle of fairness. Strength sports, which depend heavily on measurable physical capabilities, have long relied on biological categories to ensure equitable competition. Many athletes made it clear that this expectation is not discriminatory but essential for the integrity of the sport.
Organisers acknowledged the shortcomings in their verification process and promised to strengthen their procedures. They announced plans to update registration requirements, introduce stricter identity checks, and establish clearer guidelines to prevent similar incidents. The committee admitted that the reliance on athlete self-declaration created vulnerabilities in the system — vulnerabilities that became painfully evident in this case.
As the uproar settles, the 2025 event will likely be remembered less for the athletic performances and more for the controversy that overshadowed them. What should have been a showcase of discipline, endurance, and world-class strength instead evolved into a broader conversation about gender, fairness, and the responsibilities of sports governing bodies.
For Thompson, now officially crowned champion, the win remains bittersweet. Many supporters have celebrated her elevation to first place, but she herself has noted that the situation has overshadowed the spirit of competition and placed unnecessary tension on athletes who train extensively for such events. Cowley, who moved to second place, also expressed mixed emotions, acknowledging the victory while lamenting the circumstances under which it was attained.
The aftermath serves as a powerful reminder that sports organisations must strike a careful balance between inclusivity and fairness, especially in events where physiological advantages can significantly affect outcomes. The Texas controversy has, once again, placed the global sporting community at the crossroads of an issue that shows no signs of fading.
As the debates continue, one thing remains clear: the future of gender categories in competitive sports will require more robust frameworks, clearer communication, and policies that both protect fairness and respect identity. Until then, competitions like this will continue to face scrutiny, and organisers will be expected to prevent a repeat of what unfolded in Arlington.
