Male powerlifter sets world record by competing in the women’s category, leading international federation to change policies

A biological male set a national record in Canada and an unofficial world record for powerlifting in the women’s category, eventually leading to an international policy change. 

Trans woman Anne Andres competed in the Canadian Powerlifting Union’s (CPU) Western Canadian Championship in the Female Master’s Unequipped category last week, according to Fox News. 

While competing, Andres set a new Canadian women’s national record and an unofficial women’s world record, lifting over 1,300 pounds – 440 pounds more than second place finisher, SuJan Gill – a cumulative weight total for squat, bench and deadlift. 

April Hutchinson, a competitive powerlifter, expressed her outrage at the situation.  

“Those records will never, ever be broken by a biological female,” Hutchinson told Fox News. “That deadlift, for example… that is something that top athletes who have been training for 10 years and more have not yet achieved.” 

“They’ve been busting their butt off trying to get that,” Hutchinson continued. “And he literally just strolled in and did it. No problem.” 

Tuesday, Hutchinson announced on X that the International Powerlifting Federation has now changed its policy to require testosterone testing of transgender athletes competing in the women’s category. 

The policy also requires national federations to follow IPF guidelines for transgender athletes. 

“A big WIN for women in powerlifting Canada today. The @IPF_tweet 

has changed policy,” Hutchinson posted on X, along with screenshots of policy change. “It’s not a perfect policy but a step in the right direction.” 

Former NCAA female swimmer Riley Gaines says the CPU discriminated against women by allowing Andres to compete. 

“Andres’ record is a mediocre lift by a mediocre male powerlifter because the Canadian powerlifting union is discriminating against female athletes,” Gaines tweeted.  

The CPU released it’s “trans inclusion policy” in February, which allows anyone who identifies as a woman to compete in the female category with no limitation.  

In April, a male powerlifting coach, Avi Silverberg, entered the women’s bench press competition in Alberta, Canada to mock the new policies. Silverberg beat the previous record set by Anne Andres and won the competition by a landslide.  

After Silverberg beat his record, Andres admitted in a video that “maybe my participation isn’t necessarily fair – you know, there’s science, whatever.” 

Before having to compete against Silverberg, Andres had won eight of the nine competitions he entered as a woman.