Thompson world’s strongest, transgender woman disqualified

Andrea Thompson

Britain’s Andrea Thompson has been crowned world’s strongest woman after it transpired the original winner was a transgender woman who was not eligible to compete.

Thompson, 43, was awarded the title by event organisers Strongman two days after the event was held in Arlington, Texas from 20-23 November.

Strongman only permits competitors to take part in a category which matches their biological sex recorded at birth.

Thompson had finished second to the American athlete after the six weightlifting events in the Woman’s Open category.

Strongman said in a statement, external its officials were “unaware” the original winner was “biologically male and now identifies as female” and had now “disqualified the athlete in question”.

“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 statement added. 

(BBC sport)