April Hutchinson

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April-Lea Christina Hutchinson
Personal information
National teamTeam Canada
Born (1976-04-30) April 30, 1976 (age 48)
Toronto, Ontario
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Spouse(s)Chad Yeo
Websitehttps://www.aprilhutchinson.com
Sport
SportPowerlifting
Medal record
Women's powerlifting
Representing Canada
North American Regional Powerlifting Championships
Gold medal – first place 2022 Panama Masters 1
Silver medal – second place 2022 Cayman Islands Masters 1
Nationals
Silver medal – second place 2022 Newfoundland Masters 1
Gold medal – first place 2023 British Columbia Masters 1
Central Canadian Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships
Gold medal – first place 2021 Ontario Masters 1
Ontario Provincials
Gold medal – first place 2022 Ontario Open
OPA Masters and Open Provincial Powerlifting Championship
Gold medal – first place 2023 Ontario Masters 1

April-Lea Christina Hutchinson,[1] also known as April Hutchinson, is a Canadian competitive powerlifter from London, Ontario. She is a three-time former Team Canada member and the current Women's North American Powerlifting Federation's M1 84kg+ deadlift record holder.[2] Additionally, she is a women's rights activist,[3][4][5][6] focusing her campaign on advocating in opposition to trans women participating in women's sports.

Early life

Hutchinson was born in Toronto, ON,[7] and moved to London, ON, at the age of 5. She attended Hillcrest Public School[8] and Montcalm Secondary School.[9] Her grandfather was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens.

Her father, a retired OPP Superintendent, encouraged April to play a variety of sports during her youth, including track and field, ringette, basketball, and tennis. April was the captain of her high school basketball team from 1990 to 1995 and was named MVP. Her mother (now deceased) was an avid runner and devoted her life to living a healthy lifestyle.

Career Beginnings

April began her powerlifting career formally in 2021, debuting in the Central Canadian Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships.[10]

Achievements and Records

April Hutchinson has achieved notable success in her career, including:

  • Holding records as an NAPF Deadlift champion[11] in her category.
  • Personal best lifts[12] include a 402.3 lb squat, a 187.4 lb bench press, and a remarkable 496 lb deadlift.
  • Recognition for her performance at the North American Championships,[13] where she won the Masters Award Overall.

Activism

April Hutchinson is an advocate for the exclusion of trans women in women's sports divisions.[14] Her activism focuses on lobbying for policies[15][16] that are in opposition to trans women participating in women's sports.

In early 2023,[17] Hutchinson began engaging with Canadian policymakers[18] to propose legislation aimed at limiting trans women's participation in female sports categories.

Hutchinson has participated in media campaigns and interviews,[19][20][21] including Gaines for Girls[22] with Riley Gaines.[23] She has been featured on platforms such as the Tammy Peterson Podcast,[24][25] and Awake & Winning,[26] where she discusses the impact of sports policies on women's competitions.

In March 2023, Hutchinson participated in a panel discussion[27] at a Canadian conference, advocating for regulations that limit the participation of trans women in the female category.

By mid-2023, she joined forces with international advocacy groups to raise awareness and support for her cause, using the slogan "Keep Female Sports Female." This campaign has generated debate and discussion in Canada and internationally.[28][29][30][31][32]

Controversy

April Hutchinson is a Canadian powerlifter known for her involvement in discussions regarding transgender athletes in sports. She gained attention after being removed from the "Resilient London: Meet Your Neighbours" exhibit[33][34][35] at Museum London, Ontario, due to her comments on transgender athletes.[36][37][38][39][40] Hutchinson, a member of Team Canada, was featured in the "Resilient London: Meet Your Neighbours" exhibit, which highlighted stories of overcoming adversity. Her removal[41] followed her vocal criticism[42][43] of the Canadian Powerlifting Union's (CPU) policy allowing athletes to participate in categories matching their gender identity, which she argued was unfair to cisgender women.

Hutchinson's stance led to her suspension by the CPU,[44][45][46][47] a decision she appealed and had reduced to 1 year. She has since been seen on platforms like the Piers Morgan's show[48][6] and other media outlets.[49][50][51][52] The incident has sparked broader discussions on gender inclusion in sports and led to the resignation of the Canadian Powerlifting Union's president, Shane Martin.[53][54]

Personal Life

April's credits powerlifting[55][56][57][58] with helping her overcome her battle with alcoholism.

References

  1. ↑ "Stats & Facts About Me, April Hutchinson". April Hutchinson. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  2. ↑ "NAPF Classic Records". Google Docs. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  3. ↑ Tammy Peterson (2024-10-25). Will Gender Policies RUIN Powerlifting? | April Hutchinson | EP 120. Retrieved 2024-11-21 – via YouTube.
  4. ↑ Kelly, Megyn (March 7, 2024). "Female Powerlifter Suspended After Calling Out Biological Male Competing in Her Sport". The Megyn Kelly Show. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  5. ↑ TRT World (2024-02-09). Women's Sports l True Colours - Episode 3. Retrieved 2024-11-21 – via YouTube.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Piers Morgan Uncensored (2023-11-15). "It's Licensed Cheating" Piers Morgan Reacts To Transgender Athletes In Women's Sports. Retrieved 2024-11-21 – via YouTube.
  7. ↑ "Stats & Facts About Me, April Hutchinson". April Hutchinson. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  8. ↑ "Hillcrest Public School". hil.wrdsb.ca. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  9. ↑ "Home". montcalm.tvdsb.ca. 2024-11-21. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  10. ↑ "2021 CPU Central Canadian Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships". www.openpowerlifting.org. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  11. ↑ "NAPF Classic Records". Google Docs. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  12. ↑ "April Hutchinson". www.openpowerlifting.org. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  13. ↑ "2022 NAPF North American Regional Powerlifting Championships". www.openpowerlifting.org. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  14. ↑ Protecting Women's Sports. Retrieved 2024-11-21 – via vimeo.com.
  15. ↑ "Tucker Carlson Tonight". www.aprilhutchinson.com. March 8, 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  16. ↑ Menzies, David (February 5, 2024). "Alberta to 'spark change' in Canada to protect women's sports: Powerlifter April Hutchinson". Rebel News. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  17. ↑ National Review (2023-03-22). Female Canadian Powerlifters Speak Out against Trans Competition. Retrieved 2024-11-21 – via YouTube.
  18. ↑ Assembly sitting day 73 aft. Retrieved 2024-12-03 – via assemblyonline.assembly.ab.ca.
  19. ↑ "Real Talk with Zuby Ep. 252". www.aprilhutchinson.com. April 6, 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  20. ↑ Randy, Richmond (Nov 29, 2023). "London powerlifter appeals suspension for criticizing trans policy". The London Free Press.
  21. ↑ "Top Female Powerlifter Files Appeal after Suspension for Criticizing Male Intrusion into Women's Sports". National Review. 2023-12-11. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  22. ↑ "Spotify". Spotify.
  23. ↑ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  24. ↑ Tammy Peterson (2024-10-25). Will Gender Policies RUIN Powerlifting? | April Hutchinson | EP 120. Retrieved 2024-11-21 – via YouTube.
  25. ↑ "118. The Fight for Fairness in Women's Sports | April Hutchinson". The Tammy Peterson Podcast (published October 18, 2024). March 24, 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-21 – via Apple Podcasts.
  26. ↑ Men Don't Belong In Women's Sports w/ April Hutchinson | EP328. Awake & Winning. 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-11-21 – via YouTube.
  27. ↑ Canadian Women's Sex-Based Rights - caWsbar (2024-03-17). Reality Based Women Unite! 2024 | Real talk on International Women's Day organized by caWsbar. Retrieved 2024-11-22 – via YouTube.
  28. ↑ Hutchinson, April (2024-02-05). "Alberta to 'spark change' in Canada to protect women's sports: Powerlifter April Hutchinson". April Hutchinson. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
  29. ↑ "Powerlifter April Hutchinson Fighting to Keep Trans Women Out of Her Sport". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  30. ↑ O'Malley, Stella; Ayad, Sasha; Lens, Gender: A. Wider (2024-10-28). "A Conversation with April Hutchinson, Champion for Women's Sports". Stella O'Malley. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  31. ↑ Gryboski, Michael (2023-11-10). "Canadian Powerlifting Union suspends woman for opposing men competing against women". www.christianpost.com. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  32. ↑ "I Stand With April - Athlete Defense Fund". Independent Council on Women's Sports. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  33. ↑ "Powerlifter removed from Museum London exhibit after comments on trans athletes". CBC News. November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  34. ↑ Woulahan, Shay (November 25, 2024). "CANADA: Ontario Museum Scrubs Female Powerlifter From Exhibit Following Her Calls For Fairness In Women's Sports". Reduxx. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Canadian Female Power-lifter April Hutchinson Erased From Ontario Museum London Exhibit". Dead Wild Roses. 2023-11-27. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  36. ↑ Grossman, Hannah (August 16, 2023). "Powerlifter reacts to biological male taking women's national record: 'Completely unfair'". New York Post. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  37. ↑ Walker, Jackson (August 16, 2023). "Trans powerlifter faces backlash for setting Canadian women's record: 'Bodies play sports, not identities'". NBC 15 News. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  38. ↑ Free Press, Staff (November 13, 2023). "Female powerlifter: I'm banned for ripping transgender rival's advantage". The London Free Press. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  39. ↑ Walters, Jack (August 16, 2023). "Athlete left furious after trans competitor breaks female record in competition". GB News. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  40. ↑ Coggins, Madeline (August 18, 2023). "Female powerlifter outraged after trans athlete sets new record: 'Slap in the face'". Fox News. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  41. ↑ "Powerlifter removed from Museum London exhibit after comments on trans athletes". CBC. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  42. ↑ Impelli, Matthew (November 7, 2023). "Female Powerlifter Angry About Transgender Athletes Faces Suspension". Newsweek. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  43. ↑ DeMaine, Clayton (August 1, 2024). "Former Canadian powerlifter speaks out against males competing in female sports in Olympics". True North. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  44. ↑ Gaydos, Ryan. "November 7, 2023". Fox News. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  45. ↑ Johnston, Jeff (November 8, 2023). "Canadian Powerlifter Faces Two-Year Ban for Protesting Males in Her Sport". Daily Citizen. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  46. ↑ Patrick, Quinn (August 23, 2023). "International Powerlifting Union cracks down on Canadian transgender powerlifter". True North. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  47. ↑ Mew, Andrew (March 22, 2023). "Risking Suspension, Champion Powerlifter Says 'Trans Rights' Don't Trump Women's Rights". The Daily Wire. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  48. ↑ Morik, Ryan (March 8, 2023). "Canadian female powerlifter 'outraged' USA federation must allow trans athletes to compete against women". Fox News. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  49. ↑ Murphy, Meghan (2024-12-01). "April Hutchinson is a Canadian powerlifter who won't lose her sport to men". www.meghanmurphy.ca. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  50. ↑ Acharya, Riddhi (2023-11-07). "Canadian powerlifter April Hutchinson banned after calling transgender competitor "biological male" on the Piers Morgan Show". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  51. ↑ Reigle, Matt (2023-11-07). "Canadian Powerlifter Says She's Facing Two-Year Ban For Speaking Out Against Biological Men Competing Against Women". OutKick. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  52. ↑ "thePodcast: Powerlifter April Hutchinson on the battle to keep women's sport for women". thebreakernews-podcast.castos.com. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  53. ↑ Harding, Amber (November 18, 2023). "President of Canadian Powerlifting Union Resigns Amid Transgender Controversy". OutKick. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  54. ↑ Richmond, Randy (November 16, 2023). "Suspended London powerlifter sees union president's resignation as sign of hope". The London Free Press. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  55. ↑ "Hutchinson's journey one of resilience, hope". Gameday London. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  56. ↑ Lale, Brent (March 16, 2022). "London, Ont. woman lifts her way to national championship in story of addiction, recovery and perseverance". CTV News. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  57. ↑ Sims, Jane (September 2, 2022). "Weight off her shoulders: Sobriety powers London weightlifter to podium". The London Free Press. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  58. ↑ Dewan, Gerry (May 11, 2022). "London, Ont. woman lifts her way to the top". CTV News. Retrieved November 28, 2024.

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