Transgender swimmer Ana Caldas has ignited widespread controversy after securing victories in all five events she competed in at a U.S. state competition.
Ana Caldas dominated five swimming events at U.S. state contest
Transgender swimmer Ana Caldas swept all five races she entered at the US Masters Swimming Spring National Championship in San Antonio, Texas.
Caldas, 47, competed in the women’s 45–49 age group and won the 50-yard and 100-yard breaststroke, 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle, and 100-yard individual medley.
Video footage shows Caldas securing a commanding lead in the 50-yard breaststroke, finishing in 29.74 seconds — three seconds ahead of the runner-up.
Ana Caldas competed as a male before transitioning and using different names.
Born Hugo Caldas, the athlete previously raced in male college competitions. She has also competed using the name Hannah in past events.
These wins have drawn criticism from advocates who argue that transgender athletes maintain unfair advantages over biological female competitors.
Women’s sports advocacy group ICONS condemned USMS for allowing Caldas to compete in the female category.
The Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) criticized Caldas’ participation, claiming the results displayed an “absolutely insane” performance gap between Caldas and the other swimmers.
A letter from ICONS to the USMS board stated that the competition’s integrity was at stake due to policy violations regarding fair play for women’s sports.
The USMS policy requires that transgender women undergo hormone therapy and maintain testosterone levels under 5 nmol/L to compete in female categories.
However, ICONS argues that no amount of testosterone suppression eliminates male athletic advantage, calling for policy revisions and stricter enforcement.
Critics argue current policies do not fully protect fairness in women’s sports categories
ICONS said their formal complaint received no response from USMS. They emphasized the need for transparency and consistent rule enforcement.
Former NCAA swimmer and conservative activist Riley Gaines also criticized Caldas’ wins, comparing the situation to “a real-life South Park episode.”
Riley Gaines calls out NCAA and USMS for ignoring transgender athlete restrictions ordered by Donald Trump
Gaines, an outspoken critic of transgender participation in women’s sports, claimed the NCAA is bypassing former President Donald Trump’s executive order on athletic eligibility.
She mentioned another case involving Ithaca College rower Juniper Gattone. Gattone, formerly known as Tyler, still competes in women’s rowing events.
Gaines accused the NCAA of “purposefully deceiving the public and Trump,” despite the executive order meant to restrict women’s sports to athletes assigned female at birth.
NCAA and Ithaca College responded, defending the eligibility of transgender rower Juniper Gattone
In response, Ithaca College stated it follows NCAA rules, allowing Gattone to compete in open-gender events and join team practices.
Gattone is a 5’10” sophomore studying Environmental Science. She helped Ithaca’s Novice 8+ boat win multiple races and awards last season.
Their crew won the Liberty League crown and was named Novice Crew of the Year, beating Army by two seconds at the New York State Championships.
The NCAA’s revised transgender policy applies immediately to all competitions under its governance
Trump’s executive order prompted the NCAA to update its eligibility policy in February. Athletes must now be assigned female at birth to compete in women’s sports.
The rule change affects all NCAA athletes, regardless of previous reviews or decisions. It applies to over 1,100 member schools and 500,000 student-athletes.
Transgender athletes like Ana Caldas remain at the center of an ongoing national debate over fairness, inclusion, and the future of women’s competitive sports in America.
Supporters advocate for equality and inclusion in sports. However, critics argue that biological differences may disrupt fair competition and harm progress in women’s athletics.