Jammie Booker Disqualified Days After Dominant Victory in Arlington, Sparking Debate on Fairness in Women's Sports

November 25, 2025 | ARLINGTON, Texas — In a stunning turn of events that has ignited fierce debate across the fitness and sports communities, Jammie Booker, the 28-year-old American athlete who clinched the 2025 World's Strongest Woman title over the weekend, has been stripped of her championship after organizers discovered she was born biologically male. The disqualification, announced just days after the grueling Official Strongman Games World Championships concluded on November 23, has left fans, competitors, and advocates divided on issues of inclusion, fairness, and eligibility in women's strength sports.

The competition, held from November 20 to 23 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Arlington, drew over 400 elite Strongman and Strongwoman athletes from around the globe, making it one of the largest events of its kind. Booker, competing in the women's division, dominated the field with record-breaking performances in events like the log press, atlas stones, and yoke carry, ultimately overtaking Britain's Andrea Thompson — a 43-year-old veteran and pre-competition favorite — in the final deadlift challenge to secure the win.

However, celebrations were short-lived. Official Strongman Games organizers revealed on Monday that Booker had not disclosed her biological male status prior to the event, violating the competition's eligibility rules for the women's category. "While we celebrate strength in all its forms and strive for an inclusive environment, our divisions are structured to ensure fair and safe competition for all athletes," a statement from the games read. As a result, Thompson was retroactively awarded the title, marking her first World's Strongest Woman crown after years of near-misses.

The saga has thrust the event into the national spotlight, with social media erupting in a mix of support for transgender inclusion and calls for stricter biological verification in women's sports. Videos of Booker's lifts, which amassed millions of views on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, now serve as flashpoints in the broader conversation about gender and athletics. Critics argue the win undermines female competitors who train rigorously under physiological disadvantages, while supporters decry the disqualification as discriminatory and call for policy reforms.

Booker, who transitioned several years ago and has competed in various strength events, expressed heartbreak in a brief social media post: "This was about pushing limits, not politics. I'll keep lifting and fighting for equality." Her team has yet to comment on potential appeals, though sources close to the athlete indicate discussions are underway with organizers.

Andrea Thompson, reached for comment outside her London training facility, struck a tone of empathy amid her unexpected victory. "Strength isn't just about the iron — it's about resilience. I respect Jammie's journey, but the rules are there to protect us all," she said.

As the dust settles on this year's championships — which also featured standout performances in the men's divisions and masters categories — the incident underscores ongoing tensions in the evolving landscape of competitive strength sports. Organizers have pledged a review of eligibility protocols ahead of future events, promising greater transparency to balance inclusivity with competitive integrity.