Transgender fencer Redmond Sullivan is no longer on Wagner College's women's team following a recent controversy at a fencing competition in Maryland.
Wagner College confirmed the development to Fox News Digital more than a week after the incident at the Cherry Blossom Open.
Sullivan was at the centre of a dispute when opponent Stephanie Turner refused to compete against her, taking a knee in protest of USA Fencing's transgender participation policies.
Turner, who represents the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia, had completed four matches before facing Sullivan at the tournament.
Transgender fencer Redmond Sullivan is no longer on Wagner College's women's team
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"I took a knee immediately at that point," Turner explained after the incident.
She told Sullivan: "I am sorry. I have a lot of love and respect for you, but I will not fence you."
Turner was subsequently disqualified from the event and shown a black card, typically reserved for unsporting conduct.
"This is a serious issue that is happening within all sports," Turner later told Fox News Digital.
"It is a civil rights movement for women and girls, and I prioritize the safety and rights and protection of women and girls over trans-identified males," she added.
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Sullivan had competed for Wagner's women's team in several meets during the first half of the 2024-25 season.
Prior to this, Sullivan participated on the men's team during the 2023-24 season, as evidenced by scoresheets from meets during that period.
The NCAA recently changed its transgender-inclusion policy, stating: "A student-athlete assigned male at birth may not compete on a women's team."
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Stephanie Turner took the knee in protest after refusing to face her transgender opponentXUSA Fencing defended its transgender participation policies following the incident.
"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 organisation said.
They emphasised that the policy "is based on the principle that everyone should have the ability to participate in sports."
The organisation added: "USA Fencing will always err on the side of inclusion."
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
'Stephanie Turner, I absolutely salute you! If I was in that room, you would have been getting a standing ovation from me. It shouldn’t be ‘brave’, it should be common sense!'
— GB News (@GBNEWS) April 3, 2025
Michelle Dewberry reacts to a female fencer’s refusal to compete against a biological male. pic.twitter.com/Fj4UNiOr1B
Sullivan's club team, Iconic Fencing Club, issued a statement supporting the athlete after the incident.
"Red has followed every rule and guideline set forth by the FIE and USA Fencing," the statement said.
"She has every right to compete in the events that she qualifies for, and has long since met the criteria to do so."
The club emphasised that fencing is "rooted in a deep tradition of honour, sportsmanship, inclusion, and respect."
