World’s strongest woman winner loses title after organisers discover she was born a man

Jammie Booker’s social media accounts were made private following the controversy, and she had not issued a statement at the time organisers released their findings. (Image: X)

Organisers of the World’s Strongest Woman competition removed this year’s winner from the results after alleging that the athlete had not disclosed being male at birth, a requirement they said was central to eligibility for the women’s division.

Jammie Booker, who had secured first place at the Official Strongman Games World Championship held in Arlington, Texas, over the weekend, was disqualified days after the event. Officials stated that they launched an urgent review once they were notified of concerns regarding Booker’s sex as recorded at birth.

According to the New York Post, in a public statement, event organisers said: “It appears that an athlete who is biologically male and who now identifies as female competed in the Women’s Open category.” They added that staff members “were unaware of this fact ahead of the competition and we have been urgently investigating since being informed.”

The organisation reiterated that its rules required competitors to enter the category corresponding to the sex listed on their birth certificate. “We are clear — competitors can only compete in the category for the biological sex recorded at birth,” the statement said.

Officials asserted that they had not been notified before or during the championship. “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 Women’s Open category,” they added.

The governing body said all rankings and points would be amended following Booker’s removal. In their statement, they emphasised that the organisation aimed to be open to a wide range of participants but insisted that competition categories must be determined on the basis of sex 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 said, as per a report in LADbible. 

Booker, who is from Philadelphia, did not issue any public comments following the disqualification. Organisers said they had attempted to contact her but had not received a response.

Prominent athletes within the strongwoman community had already raised concerns prior to the announcement. Three-time champion Rebecca Roberts criticised the lack of disclosure, stating: “Transgender women, people born male, should not be competing in the women’s category.” She said that neither competitors nor organisers were aware of Booker’s background. “What happened this weekend wasn’t transparent. None of us knew. Not even the organisers knew. And when fairness is taken by surprise, trust in the sport begins to crack.”

Roberts added that her view did not exclude transgender participation in sport more broadly. “My message is simple. Trans people belong in sport, but women’s divisions must remain biologically born female-only,” she said.

A separate outcome followed the revision of results: British competitor Andrea Thompson was awarded the 2025 title after officials recalculated the standings. Thompson later commented that the situation had overshadowed what should have been a significant achievement. “What should be a momentous occasion has sadly been overshadowed by scandal and dishonesty from someone who was welcomed into our crazy sport,” she wrote on social media.

She said the developments had affected her and other finalists. “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,” she said. “We, as a community, are taking a stand. Protecting women’s sport as we have fought so hard for.”

Booker’s social media accounts were made private following the controversy.