Strongwoman competition steps into national spotlight over transgender controversy

NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!

The original winner of the 2025 World’s Strongest Woman competition in Arlington, Texas, was stripped of the title after claims that the athlete is transgender came to light.

Andrea Thompson, the 2018 winner, stepped down from the podium at the event at the weekend after Jammie Booker won the title.

Thompson came in second by just one point to Booker in the women’s open category (no weight requirement). A YouTube video from what appears to be Booker’s own channel, dated back to 2017, shows Booker claiming to be “trans.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist

Andrea Thompson (left) finished second to an alleged transgender athlete at the 2025 World’s Strongest Woman competition. (Laurence Shahlaei)

A video showed Thompson stepping off the podium and appearing to say, “This is bulls—.”

According to Strongman Archives, Booker had not competed in the women’s events until last June. It is unclear if Booker had previously competed as a man.

After backlash over the previous 48 hours, Official Strongman announced that Booker would be “disqualified” and admitted that it was unaware of claims that Booker was born male. The ruling now gives Thompson her second win in the competition.

“Had we known, or had this been declared at any time before or during the competition, this athlete would not have been permitted to compete in the Woman’s Open category. We are clear – competitors can only compete in the category of the biological sex registered at birth,” Official Strongman said in a statement on Tuesday. “Official Strongman is inclusive and proud to run events that do not discriminate against athletes based on personal characteristics. Any athlete is welcome. However, it is our responsibility to ensure fairness and ensure that athletes are assigned male or female categories based on whether they were registered as male or female at birth.”

Thompson shared a post from her coach, Laurence Shahlaei, congratulating her on “winning” the event. Shahlaei posted the post on Monday, a day after the event. Shahlaei told Pakinomist Digital just before Strongman’s announcement that he had been told that Thompson would be crowned champion and that an official announcement would be made.

“This win has not come without controversy, but I want to make it very clear that while I support and applaud people for being who they want to be, sport is sport and the women’s classes exist for a reason,” Shahlaei wrote.

Jammie Booker holds the record for having competed in only three official Strongman events, winning two. (iStock)

TWO-TIME US OPEN CHAMPION BRYSON DECHAMBEAU CONTINUES TO REFINE EVERY EDGE OF HIS GAME

Thompson placed third in 2019 and second in 2022 at the same competition. She won the Masters World’s Strongest Woman event, reserved for women aged 40 or older.

Booker has competed in three events this year, winning the first one back in June and placing second in North America’s Strongest Woman. On September 14, Booker started a GoFundMe to help raise money to compete in the pageant.

“After taking 1st place at the Rainier Classic regional (and getting my pro card) and 2nd at the North America’s Strongest Woman competition, I have qualified for the next level of competition at the official Strongman Games and have a good chance to make the podium at this event as well,” Booker wrote.

“Now comes the difficult task of funding the trip. Registration fees are $285, airfare to Texas will be around $350, and hotel fees for the 3-day competition and pre-competition rules meeting will be $900. I simply cannot afford this on my tight planet fitness trainer budget. Winning this competition will open huge doors for my career both as an athlete.”

Strongman said it has tried to reach Booker “but no response has been received.” On Monday, Booker posted a video on Instagram thanking several people for their help in what was initially a victory.