Liputan6.com, Jakarta The World's Strongest Woman competition in November 2025 was marred by a controversial incident involving transgender athlete Jamie Booker.
Booker, who had won the title, was subsequently disqualified by the organizers.
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Jammie Booker's surprising victory took place in Arlington, Texas, where she defeated British athlete Andrea Thompson.
Organizers said Booker, from Philadelphia, violated the contest’s rules, which clearly stipulate that athletes must compete in the category that aligns with their biological sex at birth.
“It appears that an athlete who is biologically male and who now identifies as female competed in the Women’s Open category,” organizers said in a social media statement announcing the decision.
Jammie Booker's World's Strongest Woman Controversy Details
Jammie Booker's victory in the World's Strongest Woman event drew attention after she defeated Andrea Thompson, a well-known athlete in the strongwoman community.
They voiced objections to Booker's participation, claiming she was biologically male.
Andrea Thompson was seen leaving the podium with a clearly frustrated expression, and was even heard saying, "This doesn't make sense."
Meanwhile, Jammie Booker celebrated her victory with cheers, creating a stark contrast between the competitors and the audience.
An athlete and coach named Hooper, who witnessed the competition in person, posted a video on YouTube criticizing the outcome.
Hooper highlighted the significant physical differences, stating that Booker was "three to four inches taller and probably 80 pounds heavier than her closest competitor."
Hooper emphasized the importance of supporting women's sports, while recognizing each individual's right to live their lives as they see fit.
Competition organizers stated that they were unaware of Jamie Booker's situation before the competition began.
After becoming aware of the rules violation, they immediately launched an investigation and ultimately decided to disqualify Booker.
The Debate Over Transgender Athletes in Women's Sports
The participation of transgender athletes in women's sports has long been a hotly debated issue across various sports.
Many opponents argue that transgender women, even after transitioning, still possess the natural physical advantages of men.
This advantage is considered to provide a significant advantage over biological women, especially in sports that rely on physical strength such as weightlifting.
This biological difference is at the heart of the concerns of many who want to protect the integrity of women's sports.
World Athletics, the world governing body of athletics, has taken the decisive step of banning transgender women from participating in elite women's sports if they experience male puberty.
The decision, which took effect on March 31, 2023, aims to protect the future of women's sports and ensure fairness for female athletes.
World Athletics President Seb Coe acknowledged the potential for debate, but emphasized that the principle of fairness must be the primary guiding principle in sports.
Policy and Broader Impact of Transgender Issues
In February 2025, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) changed its policy, limiting competition in women's sports to athletes assigned female at birth.
At the government level, President Donald Trump signed an executive order (inpres) titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" in February 2025.
This executive order effectively banned transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports.
This policy provided federal agencies with the flexibility to ensure compliance with Title IX, consistent with the Trump administration's view, which defines "sex" as the sex assigned at birth.
However, some weightlifting championships, such as the LGBT International Powerlifting Championships (LGBT IPC), have made efforts to create a more inclusive environment.
They have introduced new categories specifically for transgender, non-binary, and intersex athletes.
Controversies surrounding the participation of transgender athletes, such as the case of boxer Imane Khelif in the 2024 Paris Olympics, have increased public awareness and education about transgender issues in sport.