'Lost My Asian Games Bronze to a Transgender Woman': Swapna Barman's Stunning Claim After Finishing Fourth in Heptathlon

India athlete Swapna Barman has made a sensational allegation after finishing fourth in the women’s heptathlon event of the ongoing Asian Games in Hanghzhou, China. Swapna has claimed that she lost her chance to clinch a bronze because of an ineligible ‘transgender women (sic)’.

The bronze medal went to India’s Nandini Agasara who accumulated a total of 5712 points.

Swapna, who managed 5708 points, was the defending champions in the event having won a gold during the Jakarta Asian Games in 2018.

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A day after a tearful end to her hopes of a medal, she took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) asking for help and support while levelling the startling allegations. However, she later deleted her post.

“I have lost my Asian Games bronze medal to a transgender women 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,” Swapna wrote.

China’s Ninali Zheng won the gold medal of women’s heptathlon event after collecting a total of 6149 points. Ekaterina Voronina of Uzbekistan took the silver with 6056 points.

In an interview to Bridge, Swapna claimed she will ‘expose everyone’ if denied the medal which she deserves.

“If I do not get this medal which I deserved I shall expose everyone. Everyone can see the injustice that I am being subjected to,” she was quoted as saying.

“Transgender athletes, who have testosterone levels above 2.5, cannot compete in events over 200 metres. No girl can come up in 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,” she added.

Swapna further claimed she has protested against Nandini before as well and was surprised when her name was included among the Asian Games contingent.

“I have protested earlier against her, I was surprised to see her name in the Asian Games list. Federation officials are asking me to protest again, they are saying that they are not doctors, only doctors can verify. They are asking me to go to NADA, WADA. I ask for help with folded hands,” Swapna said.