Transgender Athletes Need Their Own Division, Says Top Rhode Island Female Athlete

Transgender Athletes Need Their Own Division, Says Top Rhode Island Female Athlete

Top kickboxer and Rhode Islander Christina Rondeau says that she believes transgender athletes need their own division to compete in sports. 

Rondeau’s comments came following a recent cycling competition in Illinois, in which two transgender athletes took the top two spots in a female division. 

“This is so infuriating, women have fought for so long — and here we are again fighting,” Rondeau posted on social media. “They need their own division, it’s that simple!”

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Rondeau, who owns Rondeau’s Kickboxing in Johnston, has been a celebrity trainer, motivational speaker, consultant, and author.

“I’m not a trans-hater. I have tons of trans friends. I have no hate or judgment,” said Rondeau, speaking with GoLocal. “I’m proud of them. But they need their own division. They’re taking away opportunities from females.

Rondeau, who was a member of the USA kickboxing team before turning pro, was chosen by Chuck Norris as the only woman for his Team New England World Combat League — and is also a fifth-degree black belt.

"It’s science that they’re stronger and they’re more powerful," said Rondeau. "If someone put me up to competing against a transgender athlete, I wouldn't do it."

 

Opportunities for All Athletes

“In 1920, we got the right to vote, and a hundred years later, here we are still fighting for our rights,” said Rondeau. “Women are losing out on scholarships. We have to stand up and say we’re not longer going to compete against transgender athletes.” 

Rondeau pointed to the 2022 decision by the World Swimming Federation to restrict transgender athlete participation and the ruling this month by the North American Grappling Association jiu-jitsu league banning trans athletes from competing against female fighters. 

“I completely support who they want to be, but every choice has a consequence, but there are going to be some team sports that aren’t currently available to them,” said Rondeau. “Transgender athletes have to come up with a solution — at some point, there could be say a transgender volleyball league. But it's up to them to create it.” 

Rondeau said she "hasn't run into" pushback on her views in the kickboxing world, but recognizes there are people who will be opposed to it. 

"Sure, people can be 'brave" on Facebook, and they can be mean. But I'm trying to come up with solutions," she said. 

For Rondeau, finding solutions is the basis of her newest book, “Blessings From Being Bullied.” 

“I decided to tell my story,” said Rondeau. “I wanted to come up with solutions and resources for parents of children being bullied. How do you handle it? They need resources, and they need proper emotional help. And I have those in the book.”

“I urge you to be proactive. Arm your children with the skills and self-assurance they require to navigate today’s challenging landscape,” she writes in the book. 

 

National Attention 

The issue of transgender athletes competing against women has played out on the national stage. In 2022, former University of Pennsylvania transgender swimmer Lia Thomas was nominated by the school for the NCAA "Woman of the Year" award. 

Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, who competed against Thomas, testified in support of a bill that would prevent trans athletes from participating in Ohio women’s sports. 

The Ohio Capital Journal reported in November: 

"Gaines told the Ohio Senate Government Oversight Committee how her and Thomas both had a time of 1:43.40 during the 200-yard championship freestyle in 2022 — resulting in a tie for fifth place. 

'Yet, NCAA officials told me that the trophy belonged to Thomas,' Gaines said in her testimony. 'The officials claimed this was necessary for public relations. I was shocked. I felt betrayed and belittled, reduced to a photo-op. But my feelings did not matter. What mattered to the NCAA were the feelings of a biological male.'"

Former professional tennis player Martina Navratilova recently expressed her outrage over the same Illinois State Cyclocross Championships that drew Rondeau's ire -- as well as Gaines'.

"Two men take 1st & 2nd at the Illinois State Cyclocross Championships yesterday. @usacycling has 2 categories for men and none for women. Any woman who concedes and doesn’t compete, I will personally pay them the prize money they’re missing out on. Stop participating in the farce," Gaines wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Navratilova retweeted Gaines’ message and added her comment:

"More mediocre male bodies taking podium places from female athletes. And it stinks!!!"