Former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall has spoken out about a controversial incident at the Official Strongman Games where Jammie Booker, a transgender competitor, won the World’s Strongest Woman 2025 title, sparking debate about fairness in women’s strength sports.
Hall talked about the situation in a recent YouTube video. He said that he became aware of the situation after noticing a concerning social media post from Andrea Thompson, a previous World’s Strongest Woman champion and world record holder. Thompson’s post suggested she might be retiring from competition after placing second at the event, prompting Hall to investigate who had defeated the accomplished athlete.
Upon researching Jammie Booker’s profile and competition performance, Hall initially saw what appeared to be a formidable female competitor. However, after reaching out to contacts in the strongman community, he learned that Booker had competed as a woman without disclosing being biologically male.
Hall confirmed this through evidence he viewed personally, stating he saw “irrefutable evidence that Jammie Booker is a man.”
Hall described the situation as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” arguing that Booker entered the competition under false pretenses without being upfront about their biological sex. He emphasized that the organizers of Official Strongman Games are “amazing people” who would not have knowingly allowed this to happen, placing the responsibility on Booker for what he characterized as deception.
The British strongman highlighted the inherent physical advantages, stating that even a beginner male strongman transitioning to compete as a woman would “most likely win just because of the sheer strength difference.” He contrasted this with a female-to-male transgender athlete entering men’s competitions, who would have “no chance” of winning.
Hall expressed particular sympathy for Andrea Thompson and other female competitors who dedicate their lives to the sport, sacrificing time with family, spending thousands on training, and pushing their bodies to breaking point.
“If that was my daughter in that situation…and [she] lost to a man, I’d be furious,” Hall stated, adding that he doesn’t want his daughters growing up in a world where such competition is considered acceptable.
While calling for the title to be revoked, Hall suggested that Official Strongman Games should create a separate category for transgender athletes, allowing for fair competition without disadvantaging biological women.
He urged civil discourse on the matter and specifically requested that no one harass Booker online, emphasizing the importance of mental health and allowing organizers to handle the situation appropriately.
