Governor Ron DeSantis is denouncing transgender swimmer Lia Thomas' NCAA championship win ... saying Florida native Emma Weyant, who came in second, is the "rightful winner."
Thomas became the first openly trans athlete to win a Div. I championship in NCAA history on March 17 after beating out Weyant -- an Olympic silver medalist at the 2020 Games -- in the 500-yard freestyle.
The controversial win has had the sports world buzzing ... with many debating whether Thomas should even be allowed to compete against biological women.