A former world number one in snooker is calling for a transgender champion to be banned from the sport after winning a tournament.
25-year-old Jamie Hunter won a ranking tournament on the women’s circuit in Seattle, becoming the first transgender woman to do so.
Maria Catalona, who is a former world number one and cousins with Ronnie O’Sullivan has said the win was unfair and that “90 percent of the players on the women's tour don't agree with this.”
"I don’t believe that women can compete against men on a level playing field in sport. We are wired differently, we think differently. We are mentally different.” She told The Telegraph.
George Wood
"And I do believe 100 per cent there is an advantage there even in snooker after transition.
"There is a reason why they started a women’s tour. Reanne Evans is the best woman player I have seen and even she can’t crack it against the men – it just hasn’t happened.
"I would like to see the rules tightened up in our sport. As a man Jamie never really did anything. And if this is allowed and becomes more common, there is no future for women’s snooker.
"I don’t want to see the end of women’s sport, it has been too hushed up. I would totally change the rules, and bring ours into line with women’s sports that have banned transgender athletes."
“It is just not fair, biological women are being shut down by being told that it is only a hate thing. And it isn’t.”
Responding in a tweet to criticism, Jamie Hunter said: “Thank you to everyone who has defended me, and sent messages of congratulations, I have seen all of your tweets shining through the chaos and I am humbled by your love and support.
“The world is a cruel place, but there is always light!”
In a later tweet she continued: “I am a human being with feelings, with a family, with dreams, with aspirations. I'm not a monster.”
George Wood