Trans athlete defies US President Trump’s criticism to win two golds and silver at California state athletics meet

A transgender highschool athlete received two gold and a silver and shared the medals with rivals below new guidelines geared toward tamping down controversy over her participation within the California State Observe & Subject Championships on Saturday.

AB Hernandez, 16, cleared 5 ft, 7 inches (1.70m) within the excessive soar with no failed makes an attempt and shared first place with Jillene Wetteland and Lelani Laruelle – who every cleared the identical top with one failed try.

They topped the rostrum collectively on the championships held in Clovis, outdoors of Fresno, below new guidelines introduced this week by the California Interscholastic Federation in response to criticism of the coverage that permits transgender athletes to compete in women’ occasions.

CIF first modified their championship entry guidelines in order that organic females weren’t excluded from competitors as a result of participation of trans athletes.

They then issued a rule change focusing on occasions by which Hernandez had certified to compete – excessive soar, lengthy soar and triple soar – saying any “organic feminine student-athlete who would have earned a particular placement on the rostrum may also be awarded the medal for that place” in these occasions.

The modifications got here after days of controversy that included a social media publish from US President Donald Trump, who threatened to withhold future federal funding from California if Hernandez was allowed to compete.

“As a feminine, this transitioned individual is virtually unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS,” Trump wrote.

“Please be hereby suggested that giant scale Federal Funding will likely be held again, possibly completely, if the Government Order on this material is just not adhered to…It is a completely ridiculous state of affairs!!!”

The US Division of Justice has additionally launched an investigation into whether or not California has violated Title IX, the regulation that prohibits intercourse discrimination in instructional packages that obtain federal funding.

On Thursday, Clovis mayor Diane Pearce additionally referred to as for CIF to dam Hernandez’s participation.

Throughout preliminary competitors on Friday, a small airplane circled the stadium pulling a banner that learn: “No boys in women sports activities!”

Airplane flies ‘No Boys in Ladies’ Sports activities’ banner at California observe and subject state championship.

AB Hernandez, a boy, will compete within the women’ excessive soar, triple soar, and lengthy soar finals tomorrow.

Nice work by @WomenAreReals and @icons_women 🙌🏼
pic.twitter.com/6azlcsB8Xy

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) Could 31, 2025

A couple of dozen protesters outdoors the venue sported T-shirts and indicators studying “Save women sports activities.”

Hernandez shrugged off the controversy, additionally successful the triple soar and ending second within the lengthy soar.

Within the triple soar, Hernandez leapt 42 ft 2.75 inches (12.87m) and shared gold with Kira Gant Hatcher, who jumped 40 ft 5 inches.

Loren Webster received the lengthy soar with a soar of 21 ft 0.25 inches (6.40m). Hernandez was second with 20 ft 8.75 inches and shared silver with Brooke White, who jumped 19 ft 4.25 inches.