Trans athlete AB Hernandez shares first-place podium after win

AB Hernandez had another successful weekend, winning his third regional final in California.

The transgender athlete is at the center of controversy and intense backlash for participating in the women’s category of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) event. And while her mother tried to clear up the backlash by clarifying that her daughter “did nothing wrong,” more controversy erupted this weekend, with other contestants reportedly ignoring Hernandez.

The 17-year-old placed first in the women’s long jump, high jump and triple jump on Saturday (May 16).

According to CIF’s policy, introduced in 2025, trans women are eligible to compete in the women’s category under California’s anti-discrimination law.

And if a transgender competitor wins a medal or advances to a higher round, the second-place athlete will do the same.

This means that Hernandez shared first place on the high jump podium with second-place finisher Gwyneth Mureika, who also won the gold medal.

According to new york postIt was the only time Hernandez shared a podium spot, even though regulations stipulated that the second-place finisher also receive the gold medal.

The publication reports that some of Hernandez’s rivals appeared to snub her, while others completely skipped the podium.

Reece Hogan, who finished third in the high jump, has been a vocal critic of transgender athletes competing in the women’s division.

Similarly, some attendees Saturday reportedly wore pink shirts that read “Protect Women’s Sports.”

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