‘Lost medal to Transgender’ – Swapna Barman’s unexpected tweet after Heptathlon setback in Asian Games 2023 ignites social media storm

India have been doing great in the Asian Games 2023 so far as they have already won more than 50 medals in the ongoing event. Meanwhile, Swapna Barman, the Indian heptathlete who won hearts with her remarkable performance at the 2018 Asian Games, found herself at the centre of a social media storm after an unexpected tweet following a setback in the Asian Games 2023.

Barman, who had clinched a gold medal in the heptathlon event in 2018, faced a tough competition this time. However, instead of focusing on the challenges posed by her competitors, she made a tweet that sparked controversy, which she deleted later. Barman said that she lost her medal to a transgender woman. However, what was more shocking is that she made these allegations about her fellow Indian athlete Nandini Agasara.

Swapna Barman’s deleted tweet (Source – Twitter)

“I have lost my Asian Games bronze medal to a transgender woman at the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China. I want my medal back as it is against the rules of our Athletics. Help me and support me please,” she wrote in X (formerly known as Twitter).

No girl can come up in a heptathlon so fast: Swapna Barman

This tweet sent shockwaves across social media platforms, with many questioning its intent and implications. Some argued that it was inappropriate to bring a competitor’s gender identity into the discussion, while others defended Barman’s right to express her frustration. The tweet was met with mixed reactions, drawing both support and criticism.

Barman also told a media house about how a girl can’t come up in a heptathlon so fast and said, “Transgender athletes, who have testosterone levels above 2.5, cannot compete in events over 200 meters. No girl can come up in a heptathlon so fast. I have trained for 13 years in this, it is impossible that she trains for four months and gets to this level.” Barman was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.

However, talking about the event, India are likely to win more than 100 medals in the ongoing Asian Games 2023. If they achieve this feat, it’d be a very historical and proud moment for the nation.