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EXCLUSIVE: The office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced an investigation into a recent weightlifting event that saw a transgender athlete compete against female participants. The event has sparked significant controversy and heightened scrutiny regarding gender participation in sports.
This investigation follows the occurrence at the 2025 World’s Strongest Woman competition held in Arlington, Texas, where Jammie Booker, a transgender athlete, initially claimed victory. Her win led to a strong protest from silver medalist Andrea Thompson, who chose to step down from the podium in discontent.
Subsequently, the Official Strongman organization declared that Booker would be disqualified, promoting Thompson to first place.
Attorney General Paxton has been vocal in his criticism of this situation. His office stated, “Attorney General Paxton will not allow the radical left to sacrifice the integrity of girls’ sports on the altar of their delusional transgender agenda. The office of the Attorney General is conducting a thorough investigation into this incident and will pursue any necessary actions to protect women’s sports both in Texas and nationally.”
Paxton’s stance is part of a broader effort to scrutinize policies surrounding gender in sports. Earlier this year, he filed a lawsuit against U.S. Masters Swimming over similar concerns involving transgender participation in a competition in San Antonio.
Footage from a YouTube channel, seemingly owned by Booker, dating back to 2017, features the athlete discussing their transgender identity. This background has added layers to the ongoing discourse about gender and sports.
Prior to competing in women’s events, Booker had not participated in any competitions categorized for women before June of this year. Additionally, it remains unclear whether Booker previously competed under their assigned male gender.
Thompson’s reaction to the disqualification has drawn attention, particularly a video that captures her stepping off the award podium while expressing her frustration. The clip quickly gained traction online, resonating with critics advocating for women’s participation rights in sports.
Kim Jones, co-founder of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), articulated strong opposition to Booker’s inclusion, stating, “This is fraud — against the athletes, against the organizers.” Jones emphasized the need for clear eligibility rules to maintain fairness in women’s sports.
“Female athletes deserve transparency, honesty, and assurance that the competitors next to them are genuinely women. This is why sex-based eligibility and screening are essential. Without these measures, we will continue to see situations that undermine women’s opportunities in sports,” she insisted.
Thompson’s stance has elevated her status within the movement aimed at safeguarding women’s sports. Her recognition as a champion now serves as a pivotal moment for advocates of this cause.
Following her response, Thompson shared a supportive message from her coach, Laurence Shahlaei, who celebrated her as the rightful event winner. He conveyed to Fox News Digital that he had received confirmation about Thompson’s championship status just before the official announcement was made.
Shahlaei expressed concerns about the implications of this controversy, stating, “This win hasn’t come without controversy, but I want to make it very clear that while I support everyone being true to themselves, sports exist for a reason; the women’s classes hold significance.”
Meanwhile, the Official Strongman organization issued a statement affirming their lack of prior knowledge about Booker’s biological sex during the competition. They clarified their policy regarding gender categories, noting, “Had we known this information or if it had been disclosed before or during the competition, this athlete would not have been permitted to compete in the Women’s Open category.”
The organization emphasized their commitment to fostering inclusivity while maintaining fairness, asserting, “We are proud to run events that do not discriminate based on personal characteristics. However, it remains our responsibility to ensure that athletes are appropriately categorized based on their gender recorded at birth.”
Fox News Digital continues to seek responses from the Official Strongman organization regarding Attorney General Paxton’s recent statements on the matter.
This developing story highlights the ongoing debate surrounding transgender participation in competitive sports and its implications. As advocacy for women’s rights in athletics strengthens, many will be closely monitoring how regulatory actions evolve and how they impact future events.
