The Women's Pool Tournament Championship in the UK featured two trans athletes who defeated the women's competition.
Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith went to the toes at the Ultimate Pool Women's Pro Series event 2 held at the Robin Park Leisure Center in Wigan.
Both contestants each defeated four female opponents and reached the championship match.
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Haynes' matchups were pretty close, but Smith dominated early in the bracket. Smith lost Jane Mitchell's seven frame to 3 in the first round, defeating Vicki Romax 7-1.
Haynes led the championship game 6-3, but Smith returned to cut the deficit to one. However, Haynes held on the victory.
According to the Ultimate Pool Group, Smith scored 85 of 113 matches dating back to 2021 and 62% of 848 frames before entering the finals. Haynes owned a .750 win percentage in 241 lifetime matches and won 61% of the frame before riding Smith.
The two players faced each other in the semi-finals of the British Miniseries Pool Championship in October. Haynes won that matchup, but lost the biological women's championship.
The rules of both the English Pool Association and the World Eight Ball Pool Federation (WEPF) state that, according to their website, identified athletes are permitted to compete in sports without any restrictions. These English Pool Association rules have been under review since December 2023.
(via Osmancan Gurdogan/Anadolu Agency Getty Images/file)
In August 2023, WEPF announced that it had updated its guidelines to allow “born women” to play sports.
“We understand that this decision may encourage questions and discussion within our sports. We want to emphasize that our commitment to maintaining sportsmanship, inclusiveness and compliance with regulatory standards remains unwavering,” WEPF said at the time. “Our ultimate goal is to ensure the continued growth and development of the sport we all love, and maintain a harmonious balance between inclusion and competitive integrity. We recognize the importance of fostering an environment where everyone can participate and thrive, and we continue to focus on maintaining these principles to the fullest of our capabilities.”
Intersex Intersex Comprehensive Pride Progress Flag will be shown along with the Transgender Pride Flag in London on June 10, 2024. (Mike Kemp/In Getty Images)
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However, in October of that year, WEPF overturned its protection. This led to the transgender competitors submitting proof of lower testosterone levels after identifying themselves as women for at least four years.
Jackson Thompson of Fox News contributed to this report.
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