A biological male claimed five pyrrhic victories at the recent U.S. Masters Swimming Spring National Championships, held last weekend in San Antonio, Texas.

Entered as Ana Caldas and formerly known as Hugo, a Portuguese male, and then Hannah, the swimmer was accepted into the female category by U.S. Masters despite being ineligible to compete in women's racing in international Masters competitions under the rules of World Aquatics.

The latest example of unfair play in the pool marks the third sport in which Caldas has muscled in on women's prizes, Reddux noted in its report on an incident requiring clarification: competing in the 45-49 age category, Caldas topped the 50 and 100 breaststroke, the 100 breaststroke, the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 100 medley in the short-course yards pool.

A spokeswoman for the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) said the situation was “absolutely insane ... he’s just laughing at these women."

ICONS emailed the U.S. Masters Swimming Board after Caldas’ began the winning spree but received no reply. ICONS is also keen top hear from World Aquatics - and SOS has sent a few questions seeking clarification on matters of jurisdiction and the application of international swimming rules that bar any athlete from women's competition if they developed through Tanner Stage 2 male puberty.

U.S Masters appears to be stuck in the past, its rules allowing males into the women's category is they have had hormone/ testosterone-reduction therapy and can and demonstrate testosterone levels below 5 nmol/L.

ICONS, in common with World Aquatics' rules, says such compromises fail to deliver equality, fair and safe sport for female athletes. ICONS notes:

“Transparency in these matters is critical to maintaining the integrity of the competition and the trust of all USMS athletes. There is no length of time during which testosterone suppression eliminates male advantage; therefore it should not serve as a guideline permitting men to compete in women’s swimming.” 

Questions surrounding Caldas, who has also won women's championship titles in rowing and CrossFit, include suspicions aired by Reddux that Caldas had sought to hide the biological male reality that grants an unfair advantage over women.

Trans-Identified Male Swimmer Dominates Women’s Events At The U.S. Masters Spring Championships - Reduxx

A trans-identified male quietly dominated his age category at a national swimming championship held in Texas over the weekend, prompting concern from women’s rights groups. Ana Caldas, formerly known as Hugo Caldas and Hannah Caldas, took home multiple titles at the event. The U.S. Masters Swimming Spring National Championship took place in San Antonio, Texas, […]

ReduxxAnna Slatz

Before identifying as a woman, Caldas was a member of an Ohio swimming team for gay men.

By the end of the first decade of this millennium, transition led to Caldas entering women’s competitions, with outcomes the athlete could not have hoped to have achieved in male competition. One observer cited by Reddux posted on X:

“As a male athlete participating in women’s swimming, Caldas has held 7 individual U.S. Masters national records and 6 relay records, taking 7 All-American honors and a USMS Pool All-Star honor in 2010, 2011, and 2012,” “He currently holds 1 individual and 2 national relay records along with 37 Masters state records in Arizona and North Carolina. Caldas also set 6 South American ‘women’s’ records and took 1st place medals in four women’s events and two mixed relays including the 160-199 mixed 200m freestyle relay in which the team set a new FINA master’s world record” last year.

That reference to last year is now the subject of World Aquatics (previously named FINA) scrutiny. Caldas has no right to race in female competition under international rules. World Aquatics also offered a chance for trans swimmers and aquatic athletes to enter an Open category event in 2023 - but not a single trans athlete engaged in the process, including the likes of Lia Thomas (previously Will and a man in his first year at college)

Is ‘Open’ Only Attractive If Males Get A Ticket To Female Races? Berlin World Cup Suggests So: Not A Single Open Entry

“World Aquatics can confirm that no entries have been received for the Open Category events.” - World Aquatics reveals that trans swimmers invited to take part in Open World Cup event show no interest, as biological males continue to insist that their place in female sport is ‘fair’

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

We have requested comment from World Aquatics and will bring you that when we receive it.

The Thomas case is now subject to legal process against the University of Pennsylvania:

Penn Swimmers Sue the NCAA, Ivy League and Harvard

Three female swimmers from the University of Pennsylvania have filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, Ivy League, and Harvard University challenging the decision to allow male swimmer Lia Thomas to compete against women in collegiate swimming events.

Independent Council on Women's Sports

U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order banning males from women’s sports but it is understood that US Masters Swimming is a private sports governing body, receives no state funding and can simply ignore any executive order.