Triple jump medal ceremony podium.
Share and Follow

TRANS athlete AB Hernandez was seen grinning and flaunting medals after defeating female rivals at the California state track championship.

Hernandez claimed gold in the high jump and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state finals – defying Donald Trump‘s executive order that bans trans athletes from women’s sports.

Triple jump medal ceremony podium.

AB Hernandez, center left, shares the first-place spot on the podium with Kira Gant Hatcher during a medal ceremony for the triple jumpCredit: AP
High school high jump medal ceremony.

AB Hernandez, center, flashes a victory sign as sharing the first-place spot on the podium with Jillene Wetteland, left, and Lelani Laruelle during a medal ceremonyCredit: AP
Long jump medal ceremony at California high school track-and-field championships.

Hernandez was seen grinning and flaunting medalsCredit: AP
Transgender athlete AB Hernandez competing in the long jump.

Hernandez of Jurupa Valley competes in the girls’ long jump during the CIF State Track and Field ChampionshipsCredit: Getty
Protestors holding signs that read "Save Girls Sports".

Demonstrators hold signs outside the Veteran’s Memorial Stadium during the California high school track-and-field championships in Clovis, CaliforniaCredit: AP

Violent protests erupted yesterday as the trans pupil, 16, sparked a heated row after competing in women’s sports.

Trump had said on social media that he was “ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow” Hernandez to compete.

But the CIF this week introduced a new policy that allowed an additional student to compete and win medals in the events where Hernandez qualified.

This is why the trans athlete shared winning spots with at least one female rival.

Hernandez claimed tied-first place in the varsity high jump final alongside Lelani Laruelle and Jillene Wetteland – both females.

The trans athlete later won another first-place in the triple jump, sharing the top spot with Kira Gant Hatcher – who trailed by just over a half-meter. 

But the sports row surrounding Hernandez took a dramatic turn yesterday after furious protesters gathered around the stadium to denounce the trans teen.

They were seen carrying placards and boards outside the Veterans’ Memorial Stadium, where the sporting event took place.

A banner reading “NO BOYS IN GIRLS’ SPORTS!” was flown above the sporting venue during the high school track-and-field championships.

Trump rips into boxer Imane Khelif about controversial Olympics win against Angela Carini

The protests quickly turned violent after one person was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Clovis police Sgt. Chris Hutchison told the Chronicle.

He said the person – understood to be an LGBTQ activist – allegedly used a Pride flag to smash a car window, leaving a person injured.

During the heats earlier this week, furious high school parents berated Hernandez’s mother for the trans athlete’s dominant victory.

The video, which has now gone viral on TikTok, shows the parents hounding Hernandez’s mother for allowing the teen to compete.

One of the parents can be heard yelling at the mother: “What a coward of a woman you are allowing that.”

Hernandez’s story previously made headlines after another teenage girl, who the athlete beat to first place in a separate contest, waited for Hernandez to descend from the podium before moving to pose in the top spot.

In the TikTok, the parent can also be heard shouting: “Your mental illness is on your son, coward.”

Transgender athlete AB Hernandez at a track meet.

Transgender athlete AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley leaves the track during the CIF State Track and Field ChampionshipsCredit: Getty
Transgender high school student AB Hernandez competing in the high jump.

Hernandez competes in the high jumpCredit: AP
"No boys in girls' sports!" banner in the sky above stadium lights.

A banner reading ‘no boys in girls’ sports!’ is flown above Veterans’ Memorial Stadium during the California high school track-and-field championshipsCredit: AP

More than half of the US states have implemented bans on trans youth athletes participating since 2020.

But California state law allows the participation of trans women and girls in women’s sports.

Trump posted on Truth Social: “Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to.”

His message refers to an Executive Order from February titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports”.

In an interview with Capital & Main, Hernandez, from Jurupa Valley, California, said: “There’s nothing I can do about people’s actions, just focus on my own.”

The trans pupil faced heckling and protesters in the crowd at a track meet earlier this month and was accompanied by campus security and Sheriff’s Department deputies, CNN has reported.

Two women walking on a field after a track meet.

AB Hernandez, second left, leaves the stadium after competing in the triple jump at the California high school track-and-field championships
Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Congress is abandoning centuries-old ethics lessons in its crypto push

Congress is finally taking action to regulate the digital asset marketplace. By…

New Jersey's GOP governor nominee breaks with Trump on wind farm, Tylenol

New Jersey’s GOP governor nominee, Jack Ciattarelli, on Wednesday broke with the…

Media’s Response to Pentagon’s Restrictions: A Powerless Stance?

In recent weeks, the Department of Defense announced new restrictions for the…

Massive liability: Social media may face the same fate as big tobacco

Big Tobacco once looked unstoppable. It made billions by exploiting a quirk…

Newsom slams Trump, Johnson over wildfire support after man is arrested in Pacific Palisades fire

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Wednesday went after President Trump and…

Beshear on whether he would vote for Jay Jones: 'That would be a very, very tough one'

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) did not give a clear answer on…

Whiplash: California County Enforces COVID Mask Rule Days After Newsom Signs Law Banning Masks for ICE

California has long been known for its counter-culture, its zaniness, its “otherness.”…

GOP senators sink measure to halt Trump’s strikes on alleged drug boats

Republican Senators sunk a measure to halt the U.S. military’s strikes against alleged…