Stephanie Turner, a member of the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia, took a knee. She forfeited a match against a transgender opponent in protest.
The event happened Sunday at The Cherry Blossom – D1A/VET ROC. It was a USA Fencing competition in Maryland.
Turner was scheduled to fence Redmond Sullivan. Sullivan is a transgender athlete — a biological male competing in the women’s division.
USA Fencing has openly supported letting biological males compete in women’s events. Many critics say it’s unfair.
Turner and Sullivan were both in the Division IA Women’s Foil. But Turner chose to forfeit instead of competing, making a bold statement.
In viral footage with over a million views, Turner kneels. Sullivan walks over, says a few words, then walks away.
Because Turner forfeited, she got a DNF — did not finish. Sullivan advanced with a win by forfeit.
Turner gave up her shot at a title. But many are applauding her for standing up for women in sports.