World’s strongest woman loses title after organisers claim she was born a man
The winner of the World's Strongest Woman competition in Texas has been stripped of her title after organisers claimed that she was born male.
Jammie Booker was disqualified just days after her win, with those behind the Official Strongman Games taking action after the annual event in Arlington, Texas, last weekend (23 November).
Officials have since alleged that Booker broke the rules, which state that athletes must compete in the category which is in line with their biological sex at birth. No evidence has been provided to prove this claim.
The organisation took to Facebook to update fans on the situation, revealing that the title would be taken off the athlete following an investigation.
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Official Strongman Games stated: “It appears that an athlete who is biologically male and who now identifies as female competed in the Women’s Open category.
“Official Strongman officials were unaware of this fact ahead of the competition and we have been urgently investigating since being informed.
“Had we been aware, or had this been declared at any point before or during the competition, this athlete would not have been permitted to compete in the Woman’s Open category.”
British lifter and former champ Andrea Thompson has now been awarded the 2025 title in the category, after organisers said that places and points would be altered accordingly following the disqualification.
"We are clear - competitors can only compete in the category for the biological sex recorded at birth.
“Official Strongman is inclusive and proud to run events which do not discriminate against athletes based on personal characteristics. Any athlete is welcome. But it is our responsibility to ensure fairness and ensure athletes are assigned to men or women’s categories based on whether they are recorded as male or female at birth,” they added.
Booker, whose Instagram account is now private, has not released a public statement or commented on the decision.
Thompson has since spoken out on her win, writing: "What should be a momentous occasion has sadly been overshadowed by scandal and dishonesty from someone who was welcomed into our crazy sport.
"I am not only frustrated with not being able to celebrate a win, but also for the ladies who had their time to shine on the podium or reach the final day, taken away from them.
"We, as a community, are taking a stand. Protecting women's sport as we have fought so hard for," she added.
Topics: Sport, Social Media
Joshua Nair