Kim O'Brien forfeits women's final at the European Pool Championships in protest against playing a man

There are no gender advantages.

There are sex advantages (reach is an obvious one, but there are others - including opportunity advantages as well as biological ones). Which is why it should be divided by sex.

"One of the concerns among critics like Pinches is that an opponent who was born male might have greater upper body strength, allowing a more powerful break shot at the start of the game, as well as a slight height and reach advantage which could prove pivotal on the table." (from the report)

BTW it is the advantages of sex in this sport (not gender)

Can I ask why pool tournaments are gender specific? I don't understand the advantages of gender in this sport.
But no if it's a woman's competition it's for biological women.

Brava Kim!

And Riley Gains.

It is wrong that it had to go this way.

Kim O'Brien's site: https://www.misscue.co.uk/

https://notthebee.com/article/riley-gaines-prize-money-female-pool-player-rather-compete-against-man

It is the same male player yes

"won the tournament by default"

It must be such a proud moment knowing that, when you look at your trophy on the mantelpiece.

Isn’t it the same male player? Surely that player will be known as the champion who didn’t actually win any championship through their skill but through forfeitures soon.

Maybe the pool federation will start actually taking notice?

I applaud these principled women. I regret that they have to be the ones to lead this pushback because it must be hurting them financially, with their sponsors etc.

I agree. It was such a tough decision for Lynne Pinches to concede. The WEPF need to reconsider. They had it right the first time.
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/24096071.norwich-pool-player-lynne-pinches-turns-contract/

At the start of a pool match the players hit a ball each to decide who goes first, bit like a coin toss.

Kim didn't hit her ball, then immediately forfeited the game and to begin with the other player doesn't seem to want to shake her hand, but then eventually does.

As a non sport watcher, I don’t understand the video. Can someone explain what was happening?
Good for her.

I applaud these principled women. I regret that they have to be the ones to lead this pushback because it must be hurting them financially, with their sponsors etc.

I hope that Woman's Hour, among hours, talks to them. I hope they appear on many platforms as speakers.

Riley Gaines has pledged to pay O'Brien the prize money she lost out on.

Gaines said "at this tournament there were two males that were playing, meaning there were two men playing in the women's elite pro section where only 32 athletes are offered spots"