The 2025 World’s Strongest Woman competition faced controversy as a transgender athlete claimed the title only to have it revoked shortly after. Jammie Booker, an American competitor suspected to be biologically male, triumphed over UK’s Andrea Thompson in Arlington, Texas, sparking outrage among participants and coaches. Video footage of the medal ceremony captured Thompson walking away in apparent dismay while Booker celebrated.
Event organizers announced the disqualification of Booker from the Official Strongman World Championships 2025, adjusting athlete rankings to ensure fair placement for the Women’s Open competitors. Thompson, from Melton, Suffolk, received acclaim as the legitimate “World’s Strongest Woman” from her coach and prominent figures in the sport. Concerns were raised by three-time champion Rebecca Roberts, highlighting the lack of awareness regarding Booker’s background before the competition.
Amidst the unfolding events, a 2017 YouTube video linked to Booker’s account described as a “21-year-old trans woman” surfaced, raising further questions. Roberts emphasized the importance of transparency and advocated for maintaining women’s divisions exclusively for individuals born female. Acknowledging the significance of physical disparities in strength-based sports, Roberts stressed the necessity of upholding the integrity of women’s categories.
The focus shifted to Thompson, hailed by her coach Laurence Shahlaei for her exceptional performance and dominance in key events. Former World’s Strongest Man, Mitchell Hooper, endorsed Thompson’s victory, underscoring the essence of preserving women’s sports integrity. Amid the growing support for Thompson, concerns emerged regarding governance, athlete classification, and the perceived lack of disclosure within the sport.
Following the investigation, organizers confirmed that Thompson was now recognized as the rightful titleholder. Emphasizing adherence to the biological sex assigned at birth, Official Strongman officials reiterated their commitment to inclusivity while ensuring fairness in competition. Efforts to communicate with Booker for input on the matter were underway.
For further insights, The Mirror reached out to Booker for comments on the issue.