The Washington Post recently highlighted Eliza Munshi, a trans-identifying athlete, as she prepared for her first track meet of the season in Falls Church, Virginia. This profile comes amid President Donald Trump’s recent order that prohibits biological males from competing in women’s sports. Munshi, who identifies as female, found herself competing on the boys’ team due to this directive.
As she got ready for the meet, Munshi focused on her appearance, contemplating whether to wear one or two French braids and applying glitter to her eyelashes. Despite the challenges posed by the new rules, she was determined to compete. When it was her turn, she stepped into the discus circle and launched the discus, achieving throws of 43 feet 2 inches, 41 feet 4 inches, and 46 feet 10 inches. However, these distances were significantly below the average of 74 feet 6 inches recorded by her male counterparts at the meet.
The article emphasized Munshi’s belief that she did not have an advantage over the boys, many of whom are larger than she is. She faced additional challenges, such as using a discus that weighs 3.5 pounds, compared to the lighter 2.2-pound discus used by female athletes. The shot put event presented a similar disparity, with boys using a 12-pound shot compared to the 8-pound shot for girls.
While the article celebrated Munshi’s spirit and support from her family and friends, it also addressed the ongoing debate about trans athletes in sports. Since 2020, only 31 athletes in Virginia have sought approval to compete in their identified gender category, with 28 receiving approval. However, there is a growing belief among some that transgender girls may have an unfair advantage over cisgender girls, a sentiment echoed by a 2022 poll indicating that two-thirds of Americans think trans girls should not participate in girls’ high school sports.
The profile also pointed out the stark differences in performance between male and female athletes in track and field events. For instance, boys throw a heavier discus and achieve significantly longer distances compared to girls. The disparities in performance metrics raise questions about fairness in competition and the implications of policies regarding transgender athletes in schools.
As discussions continue around these issues, Munshi’s story serves as a focal point, illustrating the personal experiences of trans athletes navigating the complexities of competitive sports in today’s climate.