Andrea Thompson from Britain has been designated as the strongest woman in the world after it was revealed that the initial winner was a transgender female who did not meet competition eligibility.
At 43 years old, Thompson received the title from the organizers Strongman just two days following the competition held in Arlington, Texas from November 20 to 23.
Strongman allows participation only in categories corresponding to the biological sex assigned at birth.
Thompson initially placed second to the American competitor after completing the six weightlifting events in the Women’s Open category.
In a statement, Strongman indicated that its officials were «unaware» that the primary winner was «biologically male who now identifies as female» and that they have since «disqualified the individual in question».
«If we had known, or if this had been disclosed at any time before or during the competition, this competitor would not have been allowed to enter the Women’s Open category,» the statement continued.
«We have a duty to maintain fairness and to classify athletes into men’s or women’s categories according to their recorded sex at birth.»
Thompson, who first earned the title of world’s strongest woman in 2018, expressed that the way she acquired the title had diminished its significance, but commended Strongman for «looking into and resolving the issue promptly».
«An event that should have been a grand occasion has unfortunately been marred by controversy and deceit from an individual who was embraced by our unique sport,» she stated in a post on her Instagram account.
«I am not just upset about being unable to celebrate a victory, but also for the women who had their moment on the podium or reached the final day, taken from them.»
Hailing from Suffolk, Thompson remarked that she and her fellow competitors felt «emotionally exhausted» due to «the backlash and insults» received following the decision, which «needs to end».
«This has been the most draining experience of my professional life,» she added.
«We as a community are standing up. Protecting women’s sports that we have fought so fiercely for.»
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- Weightlifting
