Watch: Fencer Disqualified After Protesting Match Against Transgender Opponent

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Fencer Disqualified After Protesting Match Against Transgender Opponent

 

Stephanie Turner, a fencer representing the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia, was disqualified from competition after she refused to face transgender athlete Redmond Sullivan during a Division 1A Women’s Foil event at the Cherry Blossom tournament held at the University of Maryland. Turner took a knee in protest before the match, resulting in her receiving a black card — a sanction typically reserved for severe breaches of conduct or unsportsmanlike behavior.

Female fencer takes knee instead of competing against biological male

USA Fencing disqualifies & expels her from the college tournament, even though her male opponent played for the men’s team last year before switching to women’s

How is this legal?!pic.twitter.com/knTIze5Gwa

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) April 2, 2025

 

Having completed four matches that day, Turner found herself set to face Sullivan in the next round. Turner later explained her decision to protest rather than compete, stating, “I saw that I was going to be in a pool with Redmond, and from there I said, ‘OK, let’s do it. I’m going to take the knee.’”

 

 

She added, “I knew what I had to do because USA Fencing had not been listening to women’s objections. I took a knee immediately at that point.”

 

Turner recounted that Sullivan was unaware of her intentions and initially believed something was wrong. “Redmond was under the impression that I was going to start fencing. So when I took the knee, I looked at the ref and I said: ‘I’m sorry, I cannot do this. I am a woman, and this is a man, and this is a women’s tournament. And I will not fence this individual.’”

 

She continued, “Redmond didn’t hear me, and he comes up to me, and he thinks that I may be hurt, or he doesn’t understand what’s happening. He asks: ‘Are you OK?’ And I said: ‘I’m sorry. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.’”

 

Sullivan, who had previously competed in the men’s division, had transitioned and joined Wagner College’s women’s fencing team. Following the incident, USA Fencing publicly supported Sullivan, reaffirming its commitment to its transgender athlete policy introduced in 2023.

 

In a statement, USA Fencing said, “USA Fencing enacted our current transgender and non-binary athlete policy in 2023. The policy was designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces. The policy is based on the principle that everyone should have the ability to participate in sports and was based upon the research available of the day.”

 

The organization acknowledged the ongoing debate, stating, “We understand that the conversation on equity and inclusion pertaining to transgender participation in sport is evolving. USA Fencing will always err on the side of inclusion, and we’re committed to amending the policy as more relevant evidence-based research emerges, or as policy changes take effect in the wider Olympic and Paralympic movement.”

 

USA Fencing clarified that Turner’s disqualification was not based on her personal views but on the violation of competition rules. “In the case of Stephanie Turner, her disqualification was not related to any personal statement but was merely the direct result of her decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent, which the FIE [International Fencing Federation] rules clearly prohibit.”

 

The statement concluded, “USA Fencing is obligated to follow the letter of those rules and ensure that participants respect the standards set at the international level. We remain committed to inclusivity within our sport while also upholding every requirement dictated by our governing body.”

 

The incident drew sharp criticism from tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who took to social media to denounce USA Fencing’s actions. “This is what happens when female athletes protest! Anyone here still thinks this is fair??? I am fuming... and shame on @USAFencing, shame on you for doing this. How dare you throw women under the gender bulls--- bus!!!”

 

Based on a report by The Telegraph  2025-04-05

 

 

[Denim]

You can identify as a female but that does not make you one. Screamingly obvious you would think.

 

The absurdity of imagining otherwise is perfectly illustrated by an Andy Huggins joke.

 

' I am 72 years old. Average life expectancy for a male is 75. Average life expectancy for a woman is 82. So ...I figure, if I become a transgender right now .........

[Gsxrnz]

Kudos to this girl for taking a stand (okay, a knee) against this liberal woke anti-woman BS.

 

But it begs the question - does this make her a misogynist or a misandrist? 

[quake]

Well done girl. 

The rot needs to stop.

[proton]

She refused to fight a MAN, stop this trans lie, no such animal

[mikeymike100]

Kudos to the the woman, Turner, for doing this! If this happens every time a biological man wants to compete in women's sports, the sooner the ludicrous practice will die a death!

[Presnock]

28 minutes ago, proton said:

She refused to fight a MAN, stop this trans lie, no such animal

Especially because previously he had been on the men's fencing team - What a joke the woke society has created and kudos to the women who fight against this practice!

[WDSmart]

I assume "taking a knee" is a valid sign of yielding a match in fencing, like tapping on your opponent in wrestling or staying down or your knee in boxing. If so, I don't think this woman should have been "disqualified" from the entire tournament, but only given a loss in this one match.

As far as her transgender opponent is concerned, if "she" was qualified under the tournament rules, then that is all that matters, not the opinions of "her" opponents.

[jcmj]

I sure hope they get this BS sorted out soon. It’s causing way too much stress and turmoil. Just make a 3rd category for transgender and non binary people and let them battle each other and let the men and women out of this. 

[spidermike007]

In a statement, USA Fencing said, “USA Fencing enacted our current transgender and non-binary athlete policy in 2023. The policy was designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces.

 

What an absolutely weak and pathetic organization. The US and perhaps the UK are by far the most tolerant countries in the world when it comes to the whole trans, non-binary, amorosexual, decide whatever you want today, if it fits mentality. No other country is as loose, driftless, and as silly as the US.

 

When a woman devotes her entire youth to a sport, and becomes one of the best in that particular area, and then a man comes along who decides to identify as a woman, and steals all the awards, all the victories, and all the accolades, something is not right in society. Something is broken, society has become morally bankrupt, and there has to be a pause, there has to be an interruption of the nonsense.

 

No woman would survive more than 30 minutes in the NFL. Women will not participate in men's sports because they won't be able to handle the physical endurance required, nor the brutality, nor the talent level.

 

A woman ranked #5 on the WTA could not beat a #758 man on the ATP as John McEnroe so truthfully stated.

 

Hopefully all this craziness will pass and we'll return to some form of normalcy and indecency. 

 

[JonnyF]

The tyranny of the left.

[Presnock]

1 hour ago, WDSmart said:

I assume "taking a knee" is a valid sign of yielding a match in fencing, like tapping on your opponent in wrestling or staying down or your knee in boxing. If so, I don't think this woman should have been "disqualified" from the entire tournament, but only given a loss in this one match.

As far as her transgender opponent is concerned, if "she" was qualified under the tournament rules, then that is all that matters, not the opinions of "her" opponents.

Well, since "she" was previously on the real men's team, practicing with men would give "her" an advantage beside most likely being stronger.  Obviously IMHO "she"  wasn't a stand out on the men's team so figured "she" could do better against real female opponents.  IMHO just not fair especially since it has been proven that the average man is stronger than the average woman.  Biology says there are two genders, male and female.  I realize now that woke is alive and strong, some are being convinced their minds are stuck in the wrong gender body.  After knowing this for 78+ years, No way am I going to change my OPINION.

 

[Presnock]

28 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

In a statement, USA Fencing said, “USA Fencing enacted our current transgender and non-binary athlete policy in 2023. The policy was designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces.

 

What an absolutely weak and pathetic organization. The US and perhaps the UK are by far the most tolerant countries in the world when it comes to the whole trans, non-binary, amorosexual, decide whatever you want today, if it fits mentality. No other country is as loose, driftless, and as silly as the US.

 

When a woman devotes her entire youth to a sport, and becomes one of the best in that particular area, and then a man comes along who decides to identify as a woman, and steals all the awards, all the victories, and all the accolades, something is not right in society. Something is broken, society has become morally bankrupt, and there has to be a pause, there has to be an interruption of the nonsense.

 

No woman would survive more than 30 minutes in the NFL. Women will not participate in men's sports because they won't be able to handle the physical endurance required, nor the brutality, nor the talent level.

 

A woman ranked #5 on the WTA could not beat a #758 man on the ATP as John McEnroe so truthfully stated.

 

Hopefully all this craziness will pass and we'll return to some form of normalcy and indecency. 

 

And in this crazy world in which we find ourselves, in the future wait until a trans wins the Miss American Beauty contest.  I realize in this country anything goes too but I still believe in two genders only and will never change my mind for sure.

[KhunLA]

Women should simply refuse to compete against men.  Once the sport loses enough income and sponsors, then it will return to a 'women's sporting event'.  Not a "Uni sex event".

 

Kudos to the gal for standing up for what is 'right'.  Sucks all those years of practice & competing fairly wasted now.

[impulse]

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Women should simply refuse to compete against men.  Once the sport loses enough income and sponsors, then it will return to a 'women's sporting event'.  Not a "Uni sex event".

 

The problem is the scholarships and other winnings they'd lose in the here and now if they refused to compete.  It may be years before this idiot phase is relegated to the bins of stupid history.  In the meantime, the XX women lose their scholarship opportunities...

 

[Stiddle Mump]

8 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Women should simply refuse to compete against men.  Once the sport loses enough income and sponsors, then it will return to a 'women's sporting event'.  Not a "Uni sex event".

 

Kudos to the gal for standing up for what is 'right'.  Sucks all those years of practice & competing fairly wasted now.

Indeed! Well said.

 

This young lady should be on the short list of Mrs Trumps women of courage.

[BangkokHank]

The fair thing would be to make ladyboys compete against other ladyboys, not against women.

[JAG]

2 hours ago, Presnock said:

Especially because previously he had been on the men's fencing team - What a joke the woke society has created and kudos to the women who fight against this practice!

I wish such practices had been around back in the day - I used to play rugby - front row forward. Golly, it would have been such fun!

[Yagoda]

Good for her. The NCAA Fencing association should be investigated for anti women bias

[Eloquent pilgrim]

2 hours ago, WDSmart said:

As far as her transgender opponent is concerned, if "she" was qualified under the tournament rules, then that is all that matters, not the opinions of "her" opponents.

 

 

Only an extreme left wing misogynist could possibly think this; and you bear testament to your bigoted opinion of women by calling this man “her” …. shameful

 

 

[Presnock]

3 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Good for her. The NCAA Fencing association should be investigated for anti women bias

not anti-woman, pro trans gender!

[Eloquent pilgrim]

2 minutes ago, Presnock said:

not anti-woman, pro trans gender!

 

Unquestionably both 

 

 

[Watawattana]

What a woke joke.  USAfencing should be disbanded, and restarted with Martina as its chief - she is saying what 99.99999999% of the sporting world will agree with.  

 

What has been done in USA sport since the President issued his Executive Order on this on Feb 5th 2025?  2 months have gone by with what action?

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/keeping-men-out-of-womens-sports/

 

I know the National Governing Bodies look after their own sports, but (apart from the President) who in the US Government oversees this?  I know the Department of State looks after some aspects, e.g. sports diplomacy, but who looks after sports in the US?

[Yagoda]

14 minutes ago, Presnock said:

not anti-woman, pro trans gender!

You mean Pro Mental Illness

[WDSmart]

9 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

 

 

Only an extreme left wing misogynist could possibly think this; and you bear testament to your bigoted opinion of women by calling this man “her” …. shameful

 

 

I am "extreme left wing," but not a misogynist.

I called this fencer she and her because that is how she would want to be referred to, and that is the gender this fencing tournament allowed her to compete in. I don't know their rules or whether they apply any physical, hormonal, or DNA tests, but whatever the case, they allowed her to compete as a woman.

I used the quote marks in my comment above in deference to those on these forums who don't accept transsexuals and her participating as a woman in sports. I didn't use quotes in this comment since deference is not applicable to anyone who calls me names and insults me.

[blaze master]

I wonder what Colin Kapernick would say. 

[Kinnock]

Failed as a man, try as a woman