Male 'Strongwoman' Competitor Banned For Harassment Is Now Dominating Women's Powerlifting
In October, Strongman Corp Canada issued a six-month suspension to Audrey Yun — a trans-identifying male — for harassing and taunting female competitors. So, since he couldn't compete in Strongman, Yun shifted his focus to women's powerlifting.
Yun took first place in the women's event at the BCPA Winter Open on Feb. 17. He finished with a total of 437.5 kilograms (964.5 pounds) — the combined weight of his squat, bench press and deadlift. For context, second place finisher Laticia Castillo lifted 392.5 kilograms (865.3 pounds).
(X / April Hutchinson (@Lea_Christina4))
This event was sanctioned by the Canadian Powerlifting Union (CPU), the same organization that banned female Team Canada powerlifter April Hutchinson from competing because she spoke out against male athletes who identify as women.
Hutchinson made news back in August when she publicly criticized the CPU for allowing 40-year-old biological male Anne Andres to compete against women. This came soon after Andres set records at a competition by lifting 200 kilograms (around 440 pounds) more than the second place finisher.
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Hutchinson later appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored, where she discussed the physical advantages that a male has over a female. These comments got her a two-year ban from the CPU.
At the time, Audrey Yun attacked Hutchinson on his Instagram story — calling her a "bigoted, uneducated piece of sh-t."
Another female lifter, Maria Barwig, told OutKick the competitive advantage men hold in strength sports is obvious.
"It is a sport based directly on maximal output events that rely on physical structure," Barwig explained. "It is way more obvious in sports like Strongman and powerlifting because our bodies were designed differently. Men’s frames are built to withstand and produce more force. Men carry more muscle density and bone density. It is also very clear when it comes to grip strength."
Audrey Yun Temporarily Banned From Strongman
Barwig said the poor sportsmanship displayed by the trans-identifying competitors only makes matters worse.
"I feel Anne [Andres] and Audrey [Yun] have a negative attitude towards female lifters who stand up, but they are also very unsportsmanlike. They rub it in the faces of females knowing they have the advantage," she said. "If they truly cared about sports like they claimed they do, they would be advocating for the third category so everyone has a fair and welcoming environment."
Strongman Corp banned Yun for six months in October after he was harassing female competitors on Instagram.
"Man I am so disgusted to go to nationals and be around vile evil bigots," Yun posted. "Yea, the competitors, the reps, founders, etc too many of them. Just downright hateful and evil. Absolute bullies the lot of them."
In another social media post, Yun openly taunted women who want to keep their locker room a female-only space.
"I wonder if they'll have a problem with me pissing next to them at the venue. Yes they will they've already said so out loud," Yun wrote.
But it's April now, and Yun's six-month ban is nearly up. Then, he'll be free to steal women's accolades and prize money in both Strongman and powerlifting.
Meanwhile, Hutchinson is forced to sit at home because she had the audacity to say something about it.