WASHINGTON.- A fencer was disqualified from a female float competition in USA for refusing to compete against a transgender opponent, in an incident that has gone viral on the Internet.
The incident occurred in the Cherry Blossom tournament of the University of Maryland last Sunday in College Park, Maryland, in the Washington DC suburbs.
Stephanie Turner, who competes for the Fencing Academy of Philadelphiahe knelt instead of competing against Redmond Sullivan, of the Iconic Fencing Club, in a fighting group fight.
Turner, who had played four fights previously in the tournament, was disqualified according to the norms of the Fencing International Federation, which prohibit feedbacks not to compete.
For its part, Redmond Sullivan ended up in 24th among 39 participants.
“I knew what I had to do, because Usa Fencing had not heard the objections of women” regarding their gender eligibility policy, Turner told Fox News Digital.
The US FENCING policy (the US Fencing Federation) on transgender athletes, created in 2023, allows athletes to transition from man to woman to compete in female events only after one year of testosterone suppression treatment, with proof that certifies said treatment.
Turner also said he expected consequences for his decision not to compete against a transgender opponent. “Probably, at least for a moment, my life will destroy me,” he told Fox News.
“I don’t think it was easy for me to go to fencing tournaments from now on. I don’t think it is easy for me to train. It is very difficult for me to do this,” he added.
“I’m not going to fight with you”
Turner’s actions received praise from the tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who republished the video of the kneeling on social networks.
“This is what happens when athletes protest!” Navratilova published in X. “Does anyone here still think this is fair? I’m furious … and what shame should give @usafencing, what shame should give them to do this. How do they dare to criticize women for their gender behavior !!!”
The video was published by the Independent Women’s Sports Council and showed Sullivan and Turner speaking shortly after she knelt.
“When I knelt, I looked at the referee and said: ‘I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I am a woman and this is a man, this is a female tournament and I will not fight against this individual,” Turner told Fox News.
“Redmond did not listen to me, he approached me and thought he could be hurt or that I did not understand what was happening. He asked me: ‘Are you okay?’
USA FENING REACTION
In a statement to Fox News, USA Fencing said that his policy for non -binary athletes “was designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive and safe spaces.”
“We respect the views of all parties and encourage our members to continue sharing them with us as the issue evolves. It is important that the community of the fencing participates in this dialogue,” said the Federation.
“But we hope that this conversation will be carried out with respect, either in our tournaments or in the online spaces. The path to progress is through a respectful dialogue and evidence based.”
USA Fencing told Newsweek that Turner’s disqualification was not “due to any personal statement”, but “to the direct result of his decision not to fight against an eligible opponent”, in violation of the rules of the Federation that require disqualification.
“We remain committed to the inclusion in our sport, at the time we meet all the requirements dictated by our governing body,” he said, added that the debate on the participation of transgender people in the sport is constantly “evolution.”
“USA FENING will always be inclined to inclusion,” said the Federation.
“We are committed to modifying the policy as more relevant research arises based on evidence or as the changes in policies enter into force in the Olympic and Paralympic movement.”
