Storm as US Strongwoman Jammie Booker Stripped of World Title Over Transgender Controversy
American strongwoman Jammie Booker, 28, has been stripped of her 2025 World’s Strongest Woman crown after it emerged she is transgender and failed to disclose her male birth status before competing. The bombshell revelation has ignited fierce debate over fairness in women’s strength sports.
Brit Runner-Up Andrea Thompson Crowned New Champion
Brit Andrea Thompson, who lost by a single point, has now been declared the rightful 2025 champion following Booker’s dramatic disqualification. Thompson stormed off stage in protest at the initial result, muttering, “This is bullshit.” The controversy deepened when social media sleuths uncovered a 2017 video revealing Booker’s transgender identity.
The jaw-dropping showdown went down at the Official Strongman Games World Championships in Arlington, Texas. Ten top female contenders battled brutal events including deadlifts, log presses, and atlas stones. Booker originally took victory with 52 points to Thompson’s 51 — but organisers swiftly launched a probe after a public backlash.
Official Games Slam ‘Non-Disclosure’ in Fiery Statement
The Official Strongman Games said they were blindsided by Booker’s secret, revealing: “Officials were unaware of Booker’s gender identity before the competition. Had we known, Booker would not have been allowed to compete in the Women’s Open category.” Attempts to contact Booker for comment have gone unanswered.
After recalculating points, Thompson’s triumph was confirmed — a decision hailed by fans and fellow athletes.
Strongman Legends Rally Behind Thompson, Demand Fair Play
Coach Laurence Shahlaei praised Thompson’s performance but acknowledged the tricky balance between transgender rights and sporting fairness: “Sport is sport and women’s classes exist for a reason.”
Three-time champion Rebecca Roberts was blunt: “Transgender women, people born male, should not be competing in the women’s category. It’s about undeniable physical differences that don’t disappear.”
Roberts slammed the lack of transparency, warning it “cracks trust” in the sport. Thompson liked Roberts’ post, while men’s champ Mitchell Hooper and three-time women’s winner Donna Moore publicly congratulated the new champion.
Booker Silent as Sponsor Dumps Support
Booker initially celebrated her win, saying: “I genuinely did not expect this outcome… it was a pipe dream.” But since being stripped of the title, she has stayed silent, refusing to explain why she hid her birth status from officials.
Iron Ape Athletics, her sponsor, has now severed ties, citing “misrepresentation of critical information” and concerns over an unfair advantage.
The Science Fueling the Fire
Experts underline that biological men have clear advantages including 30-50% more muscle mass and stronger bones that don’t fully disappear with hormone treatment. Critics say current hormone rules don’t level the playing field in strength sports.
Social Media Erupts Over Sports Fairness Debate
- The hashtag #ProtectWomensSports trended with over 100,000 posts.
- Fans cheered the restored fairness: “Fair play wins, congrats Andrea!”
- Others showed sympathy for Booker, sparking ongoing divided debate.
Strongman Games Launch Full Eligibility Review for 2025
Organisers announced a wide review of all 2025 competitions following growing calls for tougher pre-event screening. The Booker-Thompson saga highlights the urgent need for clearer rules to protect women’s sports — finding a balance between inclusion and fair competition.
Andrea Thompson’s hard-fought triumph now stands as a symbol in one of sport’s hottest culture wars. The search continues for solutions that respect transgender athletes while safeguarding female competitors.
