World’s Strongest Woman Is a Man

“It was coming from an adult entertainment website — let’s put it that way. Very explicit pictures and videos of this person, which then obviously put her gender into question,” Thompson told the outlet.

The British lifter explained that the organizers of the Official Strongman Games “were just as horrified” by the allegations and promised “to investigate.”

“I think they gave [Booker] a 24-hour window to get back to them, just to say ‘yes’, ‘no’, whatever, just to confirm or deny [her sex], and she didn’t get back to them,” Thompson told the outlet.

The new champ said the decision caused a “massive puddle effect” that reshaped the entire world ranking.

“The girl that came in third would come second and so forth. The lady that came 11th didn’t get the opportunity to go into the final day — she would have been top 10 in the world,” Thompson told the outlet.

Not only that, but Thompson added that the drama “overshadowed what should be a really exciting moment” for her.

“I am now the World’s Strongest Woman, but it’s still taken away the moment that I should be basking in and enjoying. Right now, I’m having to deal with a lot of people who have lots of negative things to say. I should be on cloud nine, floating and celebrating,” she told the outlet.

Thompson said that she figured many didn’t pick up on Booker’s alleged secret because the competition attracts “women of all shapes and sizes,” including many who “do look a little bit more masculine.”

The Brit added that while she and many other participants hadn’t heard of Booker before the competition, she welcomed the chance for a “dark horse” to “challenge [her].”

“I really don’t judge people on how they look. Their shape and size means nothing to me because we try and celebrate all women in this sport, so it had never crossed anyone’s mind at all. Until the pictures came out,” she told the outlet.

During the podium ceremony, Thompson reportedly stormed off and slammed the “bulls–t” decision to award the title to Booker.