A transgender woman who was initially crowned World's Strongest Woman has had her title revoked after competition organisers stated she failed to declare she was biologically male at birth.
Jammie Booker, 28, narrowly defeated British professional strongwoman Andrea Thompson during the intense Texas competition held from November 20 to 23. The victory sparked immediate controversy when Thompson, visibly upset during the trophy ceremony, was heard saying "this is bull****" before storming off stage.
Organisers Discover Undisclosed Information
In a statement posted to Instagram, the Official Strongman Games organisation revealed they had been "unaware" that Booker was biologically male before crowning her the Women's Open category winner.
"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," the organisation stated.
They emphasised their policy that "competitors can only compete in the category for the biological sex recorded at birth" while maintaining their commitment to inclusivity.
British Champion's Reaction and Aftermath
Andrea Thompson, a mother-of-two from Melton, Suffolk, and four-time Britain's Strongest Woman champion, had been widely expected to win the competition. The narrow defeat saw her score 46 overall points to Booker's 47, with Thompson's performance in the 'Stone Series' challenge proving decisive.
Following the controversy, Thompson received widespread support from fellow athletes and fans. Welsh strongwoman Rebecca Roberts wrote: "Andrea you will always be the champion in our eyes," while 2023 World's Strongest Man winner Mitchel Hopper voiced concerns about fairness in women's sports.
Thompson herself posted on Instagram: "I hold no hate toward transgender people. Everyone deserves dignity, respect, and the freedom to live their truth. But I cannot stay silent about something that threatens the fairness and future of women's strength sports."
Sponsorship Withdrawal and Official Disqualification
Booker's sponsor, Iron Ape, severed ties with the athlete, stating she had "misrepresented critical information to OSG officials and judges." Owner Colton Cross emphasised this was not about gender identity but about "upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship."
The Official Strongman Games has now disqualified Booker from the Official Strongman World Championships 2025 and adjusted all athlete points and places accordingly, effectively recognising Thompson as the rightful champion.
In an emotional social media post following the controversy, Booker thanked the organisation "for having me" and praised her fellow competitors as "insanely badass women."
The incident has ignited intense debate about transgender participation in strength sports and the mechanisms for ensuring fair competition in women's categories.
