TL;DR
- Team Iron Transmasc wins third place in Ironman 70.3 Oceanside
- Composed of trans athletes Schuyler Bailar, Chella Man, and Cal Calamia
- Victory highlights trans excellence amid sports discrimination
- Each athlete showcased their trans identity during the race
- The team aims to inspire more trans athletes in future competitions.
Hold on to your hats, folks! Team Iron Transmasc just made waves at the 2026 Athletic Brewing Ironman 70.3 Oceanside competition, snagging a fabulous third place against over 200 other teams. This powerhouse trio, featuring champion trans swimmer Schuyler Bailar, deaf nonbinary cyclist Chella Man, and trans nonbinary marathoner Cal Calamia, is here to show the world that trans athletes can dominate the field while spreading joy and solidarity.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, the team expressed their desire to compete “without losing our love of the sport and synchronizing as friends.” They further emphasized their mission: “In a world that is increasingly hostile toward trans people with an undue emphasis on athletics, we came together to showcase trans excellence, trans collaboration, and trans joy.” Talk about a powerful message!
But wait, there’s more! This victory comes hot on the heels of the IOC’s controversial decision to ban trans women from competing in female events. The team didn’t shy away from addressing this injustice. “Sports are a human right of which so many people are deprived,” they declared, reminding us all that inclusivity in sports is non-negotiable.
Schuyler Bailar, in an interview prior to the race, shared insights about the implications of such discrimination. “One of the reasons that the recent IOC decision is so devastating is because it sends a message that sports are going to lead through discrimination, as opposed to being on a progressive way of moving humanity forwards, which is what they should be doing,” he said. Preach!
Calamia, who had a thrilling moment during the race, recounted how they passed another runner in the final stretch to secure that coveted podium spot. “There was no part of me that would quit. And we got that spot on the men’s podium! It was amazing!” Talk about a dramatic finish!
Each competitor made sure to wear their pride on their sleeves—literally! They adorned their uniforms with visual signifiers of their trans identities. Calamia sported running shorts with a trans flag, Schuyler donned trans-colored goggles, and Chella carried a sign proclaiming, “bodies are not bans.” Now that’s what we call representation!
But don’t think this is the end for Team Iron Transmasc. They’re already plotting their next moves and are eager to inspire more trans athletes to join in on the fun. “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 said.
So, here’s to Team Iron Transmasc for not just competing, but for redefining what it means to be an athlete in today’s world. They’re not just racing; they’re making history, one finish line at a time. Keep your eyes peeled for what they do next—this is just the beginning!
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