Mack Beggs, a 17-year-old transgender boy forced to wrestle in the girls division, won the Texas state high school title at 110 pounds in the girls division on Saturday.

From the Dallas Morning News:

Euless Trinity's Mack Beggs is a state champion in a division he doesn't want to be in.

Beggs, a 17-year-old transgender wrestler from Euless Trinity making a transition from female to male, defeated Katy Morton Ranch's Chelsea Sanchez in the girls Class 6A 110-pound girls state championship match Saturday afternoon.

Before the championship round the PA announcer told the crowd not to take part in action that would cause any wrestler to "doubt their accomplishments this weekend." Beggs took part in the parade of all the state finalists, with hood up and headphones most of the time. …

"I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for my teammates," Beggs said in a statement. "That's honestly what the spotlight should've been on, my teammates. The hard work that I put in the practice room with them beside me, we trained hard every single day. Every single day. That's what the spotlight should've been on."

Beggs was 55-0 this season but wanted to wrestle in the boys division. However, Texas athletics rules say he had to wrestle in the gender class listed on his birth certificate. He is taking testosterone while he is transitioning, which is consider a valid medical reason by the state. It’s stupid and ignorant to focre him to wrestle in the girls division, and wasn’t fair for anyone involved.

Nonetheless, he did not quit and endured a large media presence at the state finals to become a champion. He deserves it.

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