One of the world’s top ranked women pool players is refusing to play against anyone who is not biologically female in professional competitions amid a bitter row over transgender competitors.
Alexandra Cunha, who is fifth in the international ranking for female pool players, took the stance after the rules of her sport were changed last week.
She is one of dozens of professional female players who are now rebelling against the growing number of trans players who are playing professionally in the women’s pool leagues.
They argue that the involvement of players who identify as female but were born male in ladies’ competitions is deeply unfair because they have a clear physical edge over women competitors.
These advantages include possessing greater upper body strength enabling them to make a more powerful initial ‘break’ of the balls which can dictate the direction of a game, the women say.
In addition, trans players are said to be able to play games at a faster pace and have an extended reach when taking shots due to their longer arm span.
Ms Cunha said she offered to continue with the tour if her rules of play were accepted, but she was simply told that her entry fee would be refunded.