A forfeited fencing match captured on video sparked a wave of controversy, including an angry confrontation, death threats, and mounting political pressure that has led to a congressional hearing scheduled in Washington.
Typically a low-profile sport, fencing has become a new arena for the ongoing debate over transgender athletes following a presidential directive issued in February aimed at barring transgender competitors from girls’ and women’s sports.
This issue has affected athletes across youth, high school, and collegiate levels, but its impact has now extended to all tiers of competition, including Olympic events.
The current administration is working to limit eligibility for women’s events at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, which include fencing. It has also instructed U.S. consulates to deny visas to transgender athletes seeking entry for sports competitions.
Fencing entered the spotlight during the Cherry Blossom Open, a regional tournament held on March 30 in College Park, Maryland. In a match involving mid-level competitors, 31-year-old Stephanie Turner protested by removing her mask, kneeling, and refusing to fence against 19-year-old transgender athlete Red Sullivan. The incident was widely shared online.
