Harriet Haynes Wins UK Women’s Pool Championship in Controversial All-Transgender Final

Haynes defeated Lucy Smith 8-6 in a match that reignited debates over fairness and inclusion in women’s sports, with legal challenges and regulatory scrutiny continuing to unfold.

Harriet Haynes claimed victory over Lucy Smith in the Ultimate Pool Women’s Pro Series Event 2 final, held at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan, UK.
Both players, transgender women assigned male at birth, advanced to the final after defeating four female competitors each in the tournament.
Haynes is now pursuing legal action against the English Blackball Pool Federation, challenging its ban on transgender women in certain women’s tournaments.
Critics argue that transgender athletes have competitive advantages in pool, while Haynes maintains that pool is not a gender-affected sport and her success is due to practice and coaching.
The event has intensified public and media debate over transgender inclusion in women’s sports, with governing bodies under pressure to review and clarify their policies.