Biological male ‘crushes’ women’s weightlifting competition

A male athlete is facing backlash after winning a women’s weightlifting competition in his first attempt.

Vicki Piper, a biological male, placed first in the women’s 55 and over age group at the Masters National Weightlifting Championships in Nevada held March 21–24.

Piper secured the top spot with a score of 127, 17 points ahead of second-place finisher Krista Dornbusch.  

In a now deleted Instagram post, Piper celebrated winning his debut national weightlifting event. 

“First National weightlifting meet for me,” Piper wrote. “Thank you #usaweightlifting for hosting such a well thought out and supportive event here in Reno, Nevada,” he wrote. “I set competition PRs in both lifts and had a wonderful time. Thanks to everyone who makes this sport even possible.”  

In accordance with the USA Weightlifting Policy for Transgender Inclusion, biological males can compete in the women’s division if the following requirements are met:  

• Should show evidence that hormone therapy has been administered in a verifiable manner and for a sufficient length of time (two years minimum). 
• If gender confirmation surgery is desired, the surgery has been completed, the athlete is in good health, and has been cleared by their surgeon to participate in Weightlifting.  
• Legal recognition of assigned/identified gender has been received from one or more appropriate authorities. 

The policy notably does not require testing transgender athletes’ hormone levels. 

April Hutchinson, a professional women’s powerlifter, condemned the situation as “disgraceful” and called for a policy change.  

“Such a sad and disgraceful photo on so many levels,” Hutchinson wrote. “A mediocre male crushes a women’s weightlifting competition. Just goes to show the post puberty advantages and the 60% advantage men have in strength sports over women. 

“Do you know what’s worse? The smiling women supporting him! Come on, ladies, I understand we are more nurturing and tolerant creatures, but give your head a shake. You are literally helping to erase women sports. It is time to change the policy and protect women.”  

In August 2022, after Hutchinson spoke out and refused to compete against a biological male, the International Powerlifting Federation changed its transgender policy to require testosterone testing of transgender athletes competing in the women’s category.  

“It’s not a perfect policy but a step in the right direction,” Hutchinson wrote. “No more inclusion policy. See what speaking up can achieve?”  

Many other organizations have banned biological males from competing in women’s categories regardless of testosterone levels, including World Aquatics and the International Chess Federation.