The strongwoman community erupted in controversy this weekend as Jammie Booker claimed victory at the 2025 World’s Strongest Woman competition in Arlington, Texas, finishing just one point ahead of Andrea Thompson after six grueling events.
The dramatic finale saw Thompson, who had dominated much of the competition and held the lead heading into the final challenge, stumble in the closing stone-lifting event. Her seventh-place finish in that crucial moment allowed Booker to capitalize, securing the championship with 47 points to Thompson’s 46.
The narrow victory immediately sparked debate across social media platforms as fans and athletes began circulating information suggesting Booker is a transgender athlete competing in the women’s division.
Booker posted about her win in a social media video, where people started calling her out.
According to sources online, Booker reportedly identified as transgender. In one video, she stated: “I’m a 21 year old trans [woman] with a history of abuse, struggling to stay true to herself while under the rule of her religious parents.”
The four-day competition at the Official Strongman Games featured ten elite strongwomen battling through challenges that tested every aspect of strength athletics.
Thompson appeared poised for another championship, dominating pressing events and showcasing the form that once earned her a Log Lift World Record. She won three of the six events outright, including the opening Log Press Challenge with four reps at 250 pounds and the Deadlift Ladder, where she was the only competitor to complete all four lifts.
Yet Booker’s consistency across multiple disciplines proved decisive. A second-place finish in the Timber Frame Carry, where Booker moved 550 pounds across 100 feet in just over 20 seconds, demonstrated remarkable speed and grip strength. Strong performances in the Dumbbell Ladder and a commanding victory in the final Stone Series—loading three stones in under 30 seconds—sealed the championship.
The competition also featured standout performances from Allira-Joy Cowley, who finished third overall with 39 points after winning the Sandbag Steeplechase in impressive fashion.
The debate surrounding Booker’s eligibility has reignited broader conversations about fairness in women’s athletics. Critics argue that biological males possess inherent physical advantages in strength sports, including differences in muscle mass, bone density, and biomechanics that persist even after transition. Supporters of inclusive policies counter that sports organizations should establish their own criteria for participation.
As of publication, neither the Official Strongman Games organization nor Booker has issued official statements addressing the controversy. The organization’s eligibility standards for transgender athletes remain unclear.
Booker, who only recently emerged at the sport’s highest level, won the Rainier Classic Pro-Am in June before placing second at North America’s Strongest Woman behind Samantha Belliveau. This latest victory marks a rapid ascent in competitive strongwoman athletics.
For Thompson, the one-point margin represents a devastating near-miss in her pursuit of another world championship. Many in the strongwoman community have expressed support for her performances throughout the weekend, with some arguing she deserves recognition as the competition’s rightful champion.
The outcome in Arlington ensures this debate will continue resonating throughout strength sports, as athletes, fans, and administrators grapple with questions that extend far beyond any single competition.
