Women's weightlifting is currently "shrouded by darkness", a reigning world champion has told GB News after a "biological male" won a US competition.
American competitor Jammie Booker, who was born male, initially secured first place ahead of Britain's Andrea Thompson, who was later crowned champion.
The incident has reignited fierce debate within the strength sports community about fairness and eligibility in women's competitions.
Now speaking to GB News, Thompson, 43, said she still hasn't been able to celebrate her win.
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Since the verdict, the organisers of the event revealed they had 'disqualified' Jammie Booker
| INSTAGRAMShe told the People's Channel that she was "pleased with the decision" but it still does not feel like a "celebratory moment."
The athlete added: "I'm sure it will be at some point, but at the moment it's still so shrouded by the darkness that's been covering the sport at the moment."
Calls for biological sex-based divisions have gained momentum among competitors.
Thompson, who admitted she is reaching the end of her career, believes her moment on the first-place podium was robbed from her.
Since the verdict, the event organisers revealed they had "disqualified" Booker and were "unaware" of the athlete's gender status.
A statement read: "We wanted to provide an update on what is happening following the Official Strongman Games World Championships 2025 which were held in Arlington, Texas over the weekend.
"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."
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Andrea Thompson originally came second but has now been declared the new winner
| XThey added: "An attempt has been made to contact the competitor involved but a response has not been received."
The organisation added that if they were aware of Booker’s gender identity, “this athlete would not have been permitted to compete in the Women’s Open category”.
Policies vary widely across different sports and countries.
Many international governing bodies are implementing restrictions or bans for transgender women in elite female competition.
The athlete vowed to defend other women and to ensure equality and fairness within the sport | INSTAGRAMIndividuals who have gone through male puberty may retain physical advantages, such as greater muscle mass, bone density, and lung capacity, even after testosterone suppression treatment.
One major organisation implementing change to try and ensure fairness is the International Olympic Committee, who are reportedly set to ban transgender women from competing in female competitions.
The International Olympic Committee is set to announce a ban early next year.
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