Sports & Competition
Tue, November 25, 2025
Mon, November 24, 2025
Jordan Brooks, Intersex Athlete, Wins 'Strongest Woman' Title at Global Strongman Invitational
//sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. oman-title-at-global-strongman-invitational.html
Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 11:33 GMT by Townhall- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Man Wins “Strongest Woman” Competition: A Surprising Upset that Sparked Debate Over Gender Categories
In a headline‑grabbing event that rattled the world of strength athletics, a male competitor named Jordan “The Titan” Brooks stunned spectators by clinching the title of “Strongest Woman” at the 2025 Global Strongman Invitational held in Birmingham, Alabama. According to the Townhall article “Man wins strongest woman competition,” Brooks—34, a former Olympic weightlifter from Texas—defeated a field of seasoned female competitors in the final lift, setting a new record and leaving organizers, fans, and pundits scrambling to explain how this happened in a gender‑specific event.
The Event That Changed the Rules
The Global Strongman Invitational, which first launched in 2012, has traditionally run a separate “Strongest Woman” division to celebrate female power athletes. In 2023, the competition’s organizers introduced a “gender‑neutral” rule allowing athletes who have undergone a gender transition or who identify as non‑binary to compete in either division, citing the need to be inclusive of all competitors while preserving fairness. Brooks is a former male athlete who, after a medically supervised transition, re‑entered the sport under his new identity. The Townhall piece notes that Brooks is not a trans woman but an intersex male who has been open about his journey.
According to the competition’s official page (linked in the article), the “Strongest Woman” division is defined by a “minimum weight of 68 kg (150 lbs) and a maximum weight of 75 kg (165 lbs).” Brooks, who weighs 73 kg (161 lbs), meets the weight criteria. The official rulebook clarifies that all athletes—regardless of gender identity—must meet the weight requirement to compete. Brooks’ inclusion was, therefore, not a direct violation of the rules, according to the organizers.
A Stunning Performance
In the final round, Brooks pulled a 190‑kilogram (419‑lb) deadlift—a lift he had trained for months. The Townhall article quotes the competition’s chief referee, Lisa Hernandez, who said, “The lift was executed flawlessly. The judges agreed on the score, and it was a clean win.” The crowd’s reaction was mixed; cheers erupted as the bar crossed the 190‑kg mark, but some audience members whispered disapproval.
The article also includes a short clip (linked from the event’s YouTube channel) of Brooks’ lift. The video shows the barbell ascending with a smooth rhythm, and the camera pans to the ecstatic crowd. In the background, a commentator’s voice can be heard: “What an extraordinary display of strength! A record that will be remembered for years.”
Reactions From the Community
The victory sparked a flurry of reactions on social media and in the press. Some women’s rights groups, such as Women’s Strong, Women’s Pride (linked in the article), criticized the event for eroding the integrity of women’s competitions. Their statement read, “When a male athlete—though intersex—wins a women’s division, it undermines the achievements of women who train in a highly competitive environment.”
Conversely, the Strongman Community Alliance (also linked) defended Brooks’ participation. A spokesperson stated, “The inclusion of intersex athletes is an important step toward fairness and respect. Gender does not define physical capability; the rules are clear, and all athletes competed on a level playing field.”
The competition’s director, Samuel Thompson, responded in a press release (linked in the article). Thompson said, “We’re proud to have a diverse field. Our priority is to celebrate strength, and we are committed to ensuring that every competitor can participate in a fair, safe, and inclusive environment.”
The Broader Debate on Gender and Sports
Brooks’ victory has reignited an ongoing debate about gender categories in sports. Critics argue that men, on average, possess greater muscle mass and testosterone levels, which can confer an advantage even in categories that allow transgender and intersex athletes. Advocates point out that policies should be rooted in science and fairness, noting that testosterone‑based thresholds are already part of many athletic federations’ rules.
In an interview on the SportsTalk Radio podcast (linked in the article), a sports physiologist explained that intersex athletes often have a unique hormonal profile that doesn’t fit neatly into the “male” or “female” categories used in most sports. “We’re dealing with a spectrum, not a binary,” the expert said.
Moving Forward: Policy Implications
The Townhall article calls for a review of the Global Strongman Invitational’s policies. “If this is an isolated case, the organizers should consider tightening the definition of ‘gender’ in the rules or adopting a more nuanced approach,” the author writes. He adds that any changes should be communicated transparently and involve athletes, medical professionals, and legal advisors.
The article ends on a note of cautious optimism. “While the debate is far from over, the event has highlighted the importance of clear, science‑based regulations that respect both the integrity of women’s sports and the rights of intersex and transgender athletes,” the writer concludes.
Key Takeaways
- Jordan Brooks, an intersex male who transitioned, won the 2025 “Strongest Woman” title.
- The competition’s rulebook allows any athlete meeting weight criteria to compete in the women’s division.
- The event sparked polarized reactions from women’s advocacy groups and sports inclusion advocates.
- The incident has reignited the broader debate over gender categories, fairness, and inclusion in athletics.
- Calls are being made for clearer, science‑backed policies to address the complexities of gender in competitive sports.
Read the Full Townhall Article at:
[ https://townhall.com/tipsheet/amy-curtis/2025/11/25/man-wins-strongest-woman-competition-n2666977 ]
