TL;DR
- Team Iron Transmasc wins third place in Ironman
- Members include Schuyler Bailar, Chella Man, and Cal Calamia
- They competed to represent trans joy and resilience
- Their performance challenges discrimination in sports
- Plans for future competitions already underway
In a world where trans athletes often face discrimination, Team Iron Transmasc has just made waves by finishing third in the Ironman competition. Comprised of three trailblazing athletes—Schuyler Bailar, Chella Man, and Cal Calamia—this dynamic trio recently took part in the 2026 Athletic Brewing Ironman 70.3 Oceanside competition, held on March 28 in sunny Oceanside, California. With over 3,000 age-group athletes and more than 60 professionals in the mix, these three transmasc athletes stood out not just for their performance but for the powerful message they carried with them.
“We felt like we were fighting for something bigger than ourselves,” said Calamia, who ran the final leg of the relay. This sentiment echoed throughout the event as they proudly showcased their identities, with each member sporting gear that declared their trans pride. Schuyler donned trans-colored goggles, Chella wore a cycling suit that boldly stated, “bodies are not bans,” and Calamia flaunted a trans flag on their running shorts. Talk about a fierce representation!
Despite the competitive atmosphere, the team managed to keep their spirits high, cracking jokes about the infamous “transition zone”—a term that took on a whole new meaning for them. “Yeah, we kind of crushed it,” Calamia quipped post-race. And crush it they did, finishing ahead of 200 other relay teams of cisgender men aged 25 to 29. Their journey to the podium was not just a personal victory; it was a statement against the backdrop of recent decisions by the International Olympic Committee that have sought to ban transgender women from competition.
“This concept of trans athletes being the singular thing that threatens fairness in sports is predicated upon the false conception that there currently exists fairness in sports,” Bailar remarked, highlighting the systemic issues that plague the athletic world. The trio’s achievement serves as a beacon of hope and resilience, challenging the notion that trans athletes do not belong in sports.
Chella Man added, “I want to be thinking about trans youth, all trans people. What we’re doing is truly like a kinetic metaphor for community.” Their performance was more than just a race; it was a collective effort to uplift and inspire others within the trans community and beyond.
After securing their medals, the team celebrated in style, splashing in the ocean and doing cartwheels like kids at a beach party. “I genuinely haven’t felt this amazing in a very long time. I felt my inner child just explode out of me,” said Calamia, encapsulating the joy of the moment.
But the journey doesn’t stop here. The team is already gearing up for their next challenge, eager to inspire more trans athletes to join them in future relays. “We want to scale this up and get more trans athletes doing relays like this. We’re just excited to keep inspiring people and providing a counterweight to the other conversations about trans athletes,” Calamia revealed.
In a world that often tries to silence their voices, Team Iron Transmasc has proven that trans joy, resilience, and community can thrive, even in the face of adversity. Their third-place finish is not just a medal; it’s a powerful declaration that trans people belong in sports, their identities are valid, and that joy can flourish amidst barriers. As they continue to push boundaries, one thing is clear: they are not done yet. “This is not work we could do in isolation,” Calamia concluded. “We’re doing something that’s really important—for trans people and beyond.”