Tennis legend Martina Navratilova shared her feelings over a controversy at the Cherry Blossom tournament in the United States when fencer Stephanie Turner took a knee in protest and refused to compete against a trans athlete.
Following her action, Turner was shown a black card, which meant she was disqualified from the tournament.
This comes at a time when the issue of transwomen competing in female sports has been a hot topic after President Donald Trump signed an executive order stating that the government of the United States only recognizes two genders: male and female.
Martina Navratilova, who has been vocal against transgender women competing against biological women commented on the incident involving fencer Turner.
“This is what happens when female athletes protest!,” she wrote 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!!!”
A fan responded to her post, saying that in fencing, men and women should be able to compete against each other, but the 18-time Grand Slam winner didn’t agree.
“You would believe wrong,” Navratilova answered back. “Strength matters in most sports and it certainly matters in fencing. And that’s just one advantage.”
In the past, Navratilova has reportedly sent a letter urging the NCAA to ban trans women from women’s sports and became a leader of the Women’s Sports Policy Working Group, formed in response to Joe Biden’s inclusive mandate.
She also boycotted Nike when they paired with transgender TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
Turner’s opponent, whom she refused to compete against, Redmond Sullivan, was born in 2005 as a male who competed in the men’s division until September 2024 when he transferred to Wagner College’s women’s team.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Turner said, “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.
“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. Redmond [Sullivan] 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.
“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.”
The USA Fencing also responded to the incident.
In a statement, they wrote: “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.”
Their message continued: “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.”
Sullivan’s team expressed their opinion on the matter, stating that Redmond Sullivan, as someone who declares themselves as a transgender individual, had all the right to take part in the women’s fencing tournament.
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