From thenationaldesk.com
Fencer Stephanie Turner on Sunday decided to take a knee rather than face a transgender opponent.
The defiant move came during the Cherry Blossom event hosted at the University of Maryland. Video circulating social media shows Turner drop to her knee and remove her protective face mask as her opponent Redmond Sullivan watches.
Sullivan then approaches Turner, who shakes her head while remaining on her knee. The two have a brief exchange before Sullivan walks away.
Turner’s official result from the event is listed on Fencing Tracker as “DNF” or “did not finish.”
Reacting to the clip was women’s sports activist Riley Gaines.
“Female fencer takes a knee and receives disqualification for refusing to compete against a man competing on the women’s team at @WagnerCollege,” she wrote via X. “THIS is how you say enough is enough. BOYcott!!! Kudos to this woman for taking a stand.”
USA Fencing, which organized the event, told The National News Desk Thursday that Turner’s disqualification was solely due to the fact that she refused to fence.
“In the case of Stephanie Turner, her disqualification, which applies to this tournament only, 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 rules clearly prohibit,” it wrote. “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.”
Transgender fencer Liz Kocab in 2023 sparked outrage in her world title victory over 14-time champion Marja-Liisa Someroja of Finland. Gaines also spoke out against Kocab, writing “winning a title as a male in the women’s category doesn’t make you a champion.”
“It makes you an entitled cheat,” she added.