US fencer disqualified for not facing transgender rival

WASHINGTON - A fencer was disqualified from a US women’s foil event for refusing to compete against a transgender opponent in an incident that has gone viral online.

The situation unfolded in the Cherry Blossom tournament at the University of Maryland on March 30 at College Park, Maryland, in suburban Washington.

Stephanie Turner, who competes for the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia, took a knee rather than compete against Redmond Sullivan of Iconic Fencing Club in a pool play match.

Turner, who had fought four prior bouts in the competition, was disqualified under International Fencing Federation rules barring fencers from not competing.

Sullivan finished 24th among 39 entrants in the competition.

“I knew what I had to do because USA Fencing had not been listening to women’s objections” regarding its gender eligibility policy, Turner told Fox News Digital.

USA Fencing’s policy on transgender athletes, created in 2023, allows athletes transitioning from male to female to compete in women’s events only after one year of testosterone suppression treatment, with proof of such therapy required.

Turner also said she expected there would be personal consequences for her decision not to compete against a transgender opponent.

“It will probably, at least for a moment, destroy my life,” she told Fox News. “I don’t think that it’s going to be easy for me from now on going to fencing tournaments. I don’t think it’s going to be easy for me at practice. It’s very hard for me to do this.”

Turner’s actions prompted praise from retired tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who reposted video of the kneel-down on social media.

“This is what happens when female athletes protest!” Navratilova posted on X. “Anyone here still thinks this is fair??? I am fuming... and shame on @USAFencing, shame on you for doing this. How dare you throw