Transgender wrestler Mack Beggs wins second title
Transgender wrestler Mack Beggs has won his second title match.
The 18-year-old trans man maintained his undefeated record as he took on Chelsea Sanchez once again the Texas girls’ Class 6A 110 pound division.
Beggs was met with cheers and boos from the crowd after his win.
It is likely that those booing were annoyed that Beggs had competed in the girls’ category.
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Texas public high school policy dictates that students must compete under the gender that they were defined as at birequestedAs part of his transition, Beggs has started a low-dose of testosterone.
Some parents argued that this put him at an unfair advantage, but Beggs had no option but to keep competing in the girls’ category.
WATCH: in a dramatic finish, transgender wrestler Mack Beggs rolls out of a possible pinfall to avoid defeat and win state. Met with boos from the crowd. @wfaa pic.twitter.com/72xRpzsQGN— Matt Howerton (@HowertonNews) February 24, 2018
Beggs has request a number of times to compete in the boys division but has been denied.
Speaking the fierce opposition he faces because of gender identity, Begg said he just wanted to focus on his sport.
Related: Trans wrestler Mack Beggs has this message about the Texas bathroom bill
“That (the criticism) didn’t stop me from competing. That didn’t stop me from being who I was.
“It sure as hell didn’t stop me from doing what I wanted to do in the past, and it won’t stop me from what I want to do in the future,” Beggs said.
His mother, Angela McNew, added: “He has so much respect for all the girls he wrestles.
“People think Mack has been beating up on girls … The girls he wrestles with, they are tough.
“It has more to do with skill and discipline than strength.”
