Southwest
‘World’s Strongest Woman’ competitor speaks out after winning title following trans controversy
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Andrea Thompson was awarded the “World’s Strongest Woman” title on Tuesday after a transgender controversy marred the competition.
Jammie Booker originally won the title, but allegations that Booker was born male have since surfaced, highlighted by what appears to be a YouTube video of Booker claiming to be “trans.”
Thompson celebrated the win on social media, but called it “the most exhausting experience of my career.”
Andrea Thompson, left, finished second to an alleged transgender athlete at the 2025 World’s Strongest Woman competition. (Laurence Shahlaei)
“What should be a momentous occasion has sadly been overshadowed by scandal and dishonesty from someone who was welcomed into our crazy sport. A sport which encourages women to celebrate themselves without being judged on how society says they should be…” Thompson wrote on Instagram.
“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 …
“I am grateful to the team for reaching out to me, investigating and rectifying the situation so quickly. Honoring the title to me, which is something we just don’t see in any other sport that has faced a similar position. This means that we, as a community ARE taking a stand. Protecting women’s sport as we have fought so hard for. Whilst I cannot say it won’t ever happen again, I am confident that we will work something out to prevent it in the future.
A stack of weights in a warm-up room. (Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TWO-TIME US OPEN CHAMPION BRYSON DECHAMBEAU CONTINUES FINE-TUNING EVERY EDGE OF HIS GAME
“For now, ladies, keep showing up. Take up space. Be loud. Be proud. Show your daughters how amazing you are. Much love.”
Thompson also called for “backlash” against her fellow competitors “for just being women” to “stop.”
According to Strongman Archives, Booker had not competed in women’s events prior to this past June. It is unclear whether Booker had previously competed as a man.
Strongman announced Booker’s disqualification on Tuesday, admitting it was unaware of allegations that Booker was born male.
“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. We are clear – competitors can only compete in the category for the biological sex recorded at birth,” Official Strongman said in an announcement Tuesday. “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.”
Jammie Booker is on record as having competed in just three Official Strongman events, winning two. (iStock)
Strongman said it tried to reach out to Booker but has not gotten a response. Booker’s social media has since gone private. The Texas attorney general also said they are investigating.
Thompson stepped off the podium while Booker celebrated, appearing to say, “this is bulls—.” Thompson’s coach, Laurence Shahlaei, told Fox News Digital that Booker “was just disappointed in herself for losing.”
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Los Angeles, Ca
Sticker shock not just affecting World Cup match ticket prices, but parking costs too
Many people who are going to a World Cup match this summer, including the author of this article, forked over some serious money to get inside the stadium to see some action. And while prices for the matches themselves have attracted most of the (negative) attention online, there is another fee that is creeping up on […]
Los Angeles, Ca
Ballots burned, vote center vandalized in possible acts of election interference, Los Angeles County officials say
Ballots were found burned and a voting center in Long Beach was vandalized in what could be two separate acts of attempted election interference ahead of the June 2 primary election, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder announced Sunday.
The burned ballots were discovered inside an official ballot drop box at the Department of Public Social Services-Civic Center in Los Angeles, during routine ballot collections, according to the county registrar-recorder.
“Staff identified a limited number of vote-by-mail ballots that appeared to have sustained fire-related damage,” the county registrar-recorder said.
The fire happened sometime between the last ballot collection on Saturday and first ballot collection on Sunday, resulting in a “small number” of affected ballots, officials said.
On Sunday morning, vandalism was found at the voting center in Cesar E. Chavez Park in Long Beach. Election workers responded and voting operations were not disrupted, according to the county registrar-recorder.
The county registrar-recorder said that it is “carefully reviewing both incidents and working to identify any voters who may have been affected.”
Voters whose ballots were affected by the fire will be contacted directly and given information on how to recast their vote. Replacement ballots are a possibility, the county registrar-recorder said.
The county registrar-recorder has filed reports with the Los Angeles Police Department following the incidents. Los Angeles County Clerk Dean Logan issued a statement Sunday reminding the public that attempts to disrupt voting, damage election infrastructure, interfere with voters, or vandalize election facilities “will not be tolerated.”
“Our responsibility is to protect voters and ensure every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast a ballot,” Logan said. “Any attempt to interfere with voting or election operations is taken seriously. We will continue working closely with law enforcement and other partners to safeguard the voting process and ensure voters can participate with confidence.”
The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity involving election materials, election facilities, or voting operations to the county registrar-recorder by calling (800) 815-2666.
Los Angeles, Ca
Man found stabbed to death in Huntington Park
A man was found stabbed to death in Huntington Park early Sunday morning, authorities said.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department homicide investigators are assisting the Huntington Park Police Department with the investigation after the deadly stabbing was reported around 12:03 a.m. in the 3500 block of Florence Avenue.
Officials said the victim, described only as an adult man, was pronounced dead at the scene.
No information about a possible suspect or the circumstances leading up to the stabbing was immediately released.
The investigation remained ongoing Sunday morning.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
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