Fencer who refused to face transgender athlete criticised for taking a knee in protest

Redmond Sullivan’s team have defended the transgender athlete’s participation at a recent fencing event while condemning the behaviour of her opponent, who took a knee in protest.

The incident occurred last weekend at the Cherry Blossom tournament in the United States, sparking a fresh gender row after footage went viral.

Just as the match was about to start, Stephanie Turner, 31, refused to compete, dropping down to one knee, and was shown a black card for bad behaviour or unsporting conduct.

There has long been a complex debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in all sports and whether or not they should compete in male or female events, with USA Fencing calling for ‘respectful communication’.

The statement from USA Fencing on Wednesday came after Turner accused them of ‘not listening to women’s objections’ over transgender athletes competing in the female tournament at the University of Maryland.

Sullivan, who was born in 2005, transferred to Wagner College’s women’s team in September 2024, having last competed in the men’s division in June 2023.

Speaking after her disqualification, Turner refused to acknowledge Sullivan as a transgender person, claiming ‘this is a man’ and using male pronouns.

‘I saw that I was going to be in a pool with [Sullivan], and from there I said, ‘OK, let’s do it. I’m going to take the knee’,’ Turner said. ‘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. [Sullivan] was under the impression 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’.

‘[Sullivan] 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’.’

In a short statement, Sullivan’s team, Iconic Fencing Club, stressed that their 20-year-old competitor had complied with ‘every rule’ and had ‘every right’ to take part in the event.

‘Red has followed every rule and guideline set forth by the FIE (the international fencing governing organisation) and USA Fencing (the national organisation),’ Iconic Fencing Club told the Daily Express US.

‘She has every right to compete in the events that she qualifies for, and has long since met the criteria to do so.’

The team, based in Wallingford, Connecticut, went on to criticise Turner, declaring that such behaviour had ‘no place’ in the sport.

‘Fencing is rooted in a deep tradition of honour, sportsmanship, inclusion, and respect, and in a sport that prides itself on these values, the type of behaviour expressed by Red’s opponent has no place,’ the statement continued.

‘Iconic Fencing Club supports Red in her fencing journey and will continue to do so in the future.’

Transgender issues have been firmly under the spotlight in the USA since Donald Trump won the 2024 election, which has impacted several sports.

In February, Trump issued a warning to American schools that do not comply with his order barring transgender athletes from women’s sports.

Former United States footballer Megan Rapinoe last month labelled Trump’s executive order banning transgender athletes from women’s sports as ‘cruel and depraved’.

‘[We] enacted our current transgender and non-binary athlete policy in 2023,’ USA Fencing said in a statement on Wednesday. ‘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.

‘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.

‘We respect the viewpoints on all sides and encourage our members to continue sharing them with us as the matter evolves. It’s important for the fencing community to engage in this dialogue, but we expect this conversation to be conducted respectfully, whether at our tournaments or in online spaces. The way to progress is by respectful discussion based in evidence.

‘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.

‘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.’

Women’s tennis legend Martina Navratilova has slammed USA Fencing over their call to disqualify Turner from the Cherry Blossom tournament.

‘This is what happens when female athletes protest!’ the nine-time Wimbledon singles champion 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 women under the gender bulls— bus!!!’