29-Year-Old Trans Athlete Faces Backlash After Beating 13-Year-Old Girl In Skateboarding Contest
Ricci Tres was one of six skateboarders who took part in the competition
A transgender skateboarder has received criticism after she beat a 13-year-old girl to win first place in a New York City skateboarding tournament.
Ricci Tres took part in the women's competition at the Boardr Open street skateboarding event at the weekend, when she took home the women's title as well as $500 prize money.
A total of six females took part in the event, with 13-year-old Shiloh Catori, from Tampa, Florida, winning $250 as she came in second place for her performance.
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Catori was one of four competitors who were under the age of 17, the youngest of which, Juri Iikura, was aged just 10 years old.
Though the contest is 'open to all participants at all skill levels', Tres became the subject of backlash after the result was announced, with some claiming Catori was the rightful winner while others described Tres as a 'cheat'.
Sharing an image of the rankings online, one Twitter user wrote: "Congratulations to #ShilohCatori 1st place winner of the Boardr Open in NYC in the Women’s Skateboarding Finals. We’ll [sic] done Shiloh!"
Female skateboarder Taylor Silverman was among those who spoke out after she previously placed second to transgender competitors.
In a post on Instagram, Silverman claimed a 'male' had won the women's event this weekend and added: "My story is not unique in skateboarding. My story is not unique in sports in general."
Last month, Silverman said she placed second in two events in which she had competed against transgender women.
“At the last contest series I did for Redbull, I placed second. The trans competitor who won took $1,000 dollars in qualifiers, $3,000 in finals and $1,000 in best trick. This totalled to $5,000 of the prize money meant for female athletes. I deserved to place first, be acknowledged for my win, and get paid. I reached out to Redbull and was ignored," she wrote.
When discussing Silverman's placements, broadcaster Tim Pool claimed biological males have an advantage in skateboarding because they 'have higher centers of gravity granting advantages that cannot be removed with [hormone replacement therapy]'.
Other people questioned why skateboarders in their 20s were competing against children and teenagers.
Ricci's win comes after swimming’s world governing body, Fina, voted to stop transgender athletes taking part in women’s competitions after they have gone through any part of the process of male puberty.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence contact Mindline Trans+ on 0300 330 5468. The line is open 8pm–midnight Mondays and Fridays and is run by trans volunteers
Emily Brown