The transgender teen made to compete in a wrestling competition as a girl, despite identifying as a boy, has won a high school championship in Texas.
A bruised and bloodied Mack Beggs fought his way to the girls' title in the weekend, but is still fighting for transgender rights in America.
The 17-year-old is transitioning from woman to man, but the governing body for Texas school athletics required him to compete in a weekend tournament by his birth gender, which is female.
He had a 52-0 record ahead of the tournament and was the favourite to win his 110-pound (50kg) weight class in the girl's championship.
"We trained hard every single day, every single day," he says.
Lisa Latham's daughter lost to Beggs in the state tournament and says it's a lose-lose situation having Beggs fight as a female.
"It's not fair for Mack, because he's not getting true competition or true experience, what it is to wrestle on his level. It's not fair for the female wrestlers because they are at a complete disadvantage."
Beggs' family has sought to have him wrestle as a boy, and some of his opponents have said he has an unfair advantage because he is taking testosterone as part of his transition.
Texas is one of seven US states that restricts transgender athletes. Ten states have no policy and 33 allow high school athletes to compete based on their gender identity, or on a case-by-case basis.
Beggs tried to dismiss the controversy following his win, but it will likely follow him into the next wrestling season.
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