Two biological men won spots in the finals of a UK women’s pool tournament, sparking outrage over fairness in women’s sports. Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith, both transgender athletes, defeated female competitors to face each other in the Ultimate Pool Women’s Pro Series Event 2. The match ended with Haynes defending her title, but critics slammed the event as unfair to women.
The tournament saw Haynes and Smith beat four female players each to reach the championship. Some female competitors, like Lynne Pinches, previously refused to play against Haynes, calling it an unfair advantage. Pinches said facing male-born players feels wrong because they often have longer reach and stronger shots. Many women fear speaking out due to accusations of transphobia.
Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies called the situation “ridiculous” and “fundamentally wrong.” Broadcaster Piers Morgan blasted the event as “absurd cheating nonsense.” Critics argue male athletes in women’s sports undermine decades of progress for female competitors. Physical advantages from male puberty, like height and strength, can’t be ignored, even in non-contact sports like pool.
Haynes and Smith took home prize money that could have gone to female players. The top two prizes totaled about $3,480, while the remaining 14 female competitors split just $2,700 combined. This financial hit adds to the frustration for women who train hard but lose opportunities to biological men.
Organizations like the World Eightball Pool Federation initially tried to restrict women’s categories to biological females but reversed course under pressure. The English Pool Association still allows transgender athletes without limits, despite ongoing reviews. Haynes sued another federation for banning male-born players, claiming no advantage exists in pool.
Haynes told media outlets, “Trans women don’t threaten pool,” but results suggest otherwise. Data shows Haynes dominates rankings, holding the top spot in 2022 and 2024. Over 890 medals in women’s sports globally have gone to transgender athletes, per UN reports. This trend risks sidelining biological women in their own leagues.
The debate pits inclusivity against fairness. Conservative voices argue women’s sports must prioritize biological reality over gender identity. Protecting female spaces ensures equal opportunity and respects the original purpose of women’s categories. Allowing male-born athletes erodes these protections, critics say.
This controversy mirrors larger battles over transgender participation in sports. As more organizations cave to activist pressure, conservatives push for policies that safeguard women’s achievements. The pool tournament highlights the need for clear rules to keep women’s sports fair and female-only. Without changes, female athletes will keep losing ground to biological men.
