Canadian transgender athlete Veronica Ivy has successfully defended her Inter-Provincial Team title at the Canadian Women's Mid-Amateur Championship alongside teammates Nonie Marler and Aram Choi at the Burlington Golf & Country Club. The 44-year-old Canadian athlete, who is a biological male, previously made history in women's track cycling under the name Rachael McKinnon, becoming the first trans woman to win a world track cycling championship after winning two masters titles.
Seven years on from her last masters triumph in cycling, Ivy is now winning trophies in women's golf. At the end of June, Ivy won both the 2026 women's British Columbia Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master championships after carding a 54-hole total of 223 to finish even over par and one stroke ahead of Marler.
According to Outkick's Joe Kinsey, back in December the 44-year-old admitted that driving in golf is "my biggest weapon, so I'm spending serious time improving it." Kinsey claims Ivy's goal is to start hitting drives further than 280 yards, which only three women on the Ladies Professional Golf Association currently average.
Debate over transgender athletes in women's sports
The divisive topic of trans athletes in women's sports has been reignited of late after WNBA star Sophie Cunningham sparked controversy by claiming she wants to "protect young girls" from "biological men" in competition.
Several high-profile figures in the league have distanced themselves from Cunningham's stance. Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wore a "Trans Kids Belong" T-shirt during their game against Indiana on Sunday to make her opinion known.
While liberals have condemned her, Cunningham has received support from a number of conservative commentators. Outkick founder Clay Travis offered to pay $10million to WNBA champions the Las Vegas Aces if they can beat a high school boys team in a bid to demonstrate physical differences between men and women.
WNBA franchise proposal and Enes Kanter Freedom declaration
Travis has also claimed he is prepared to call the bluff of lefties and launch his own all-trans WNBA franchise, with 6ft 3in trans French basketball star Julie Tetart already expressing an interest in joining the league.
Ex-NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom has also claimed he is officially declaring for the WNBA Draft in 2027 amid the ongoing debate surrounding trans inclusion in sports. Freedom, who stands at 6ft 10in and played in the NBA for 11 seasons, shared the announcement with his fans through a post on social media on Friday afternoon.
In a video, the former New York Knicks and Boston Celtics star said: "After careful consideration and reviewing the current eligibility guidelines, I’m officially declaring myself a @WNBA prospect." He added: "If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA."
Freedom said: "My team and I have carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion. Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA draft in April 2027."
He continued: "I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions. I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices. I’m simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone - the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for."
Freedom added: "My team and I are prepared to ensure these guidelines are applied equally, consistently, and without exception, and I look forward to the #WNBA honoring its stated principles. See you at training camp."
