Amateur boxer and mental health professional Dr. Katia Bissonnette withdrew from a match after she was told she would fight against a transgender opponent.
The Saguenay, Quebec-based psychologist claimed that she was given only an hour's notice that she was to face off with Mya Walmsley last month in the 2023 Provincial Golden Glove Championship in Victoriaville.
Due to this, Walmsley was declared the winner by default as the organizers could not provide a replacement for Bissonnette in the same weight class.
"Women shouldn't have to bear the physical and psychological risks brought by a man's decisions regarding his personal life and identity," she told Reduxx. "There should be two categories: biological male and female."
A female boxer withdrew from a championship in Quebec, Canada, after learning she was set to fight a trans-identified male.
— REDUXX (@ReduxxMag) November 15, 2023
Katia Bissonnette tells Reduxx she learned her opponent was a man just one hour before she was set to step into the ring.https://t.co/ntnivo4Xx2
Bissonnette's Reasons for Withdrawing
Bissonnette cited a study by the University of Utah which found that men could punch 163% harder than women.
While hormone blockers might reduce a transgender woman's biological advantage as a male, it could only slightly reduce such.
According to Boxing Canada, a trans fighter's identity should not be disclosed if a transition was undertaken before puberty to prevent discrimination.
Bissonnette stated that Walmsley was originally from Australia and her history was unknown, adding that the trans fighter had "zero fights as a woman" in Canada, according to Walmsley's file.
Read also: Jesus Ociel Baena: Mexico's First Openly Non-Binary Magistrate Found Dead Following Death Threats
Walmsley Explains Her Side
On the other hand, Walmsley criticized Bissonnette for revealing her identity to the public rather than approaching her directly for a resolution.
The Concordia University Montreal student told La Presse that she had not transitioned to become a boxer and that the whole ordeal left her feeling like a "political object."
The International Olympic Committee previously ruled that transwomen could compete in female categories if they lowered their testosterone to a certain level. However, Walmsley confirmed that she did not have to test her levels prior to enrolling in the tournament, calling the tests "arbitrary and intensive."
Walmsley was the latest in a list of trans athletes competing in women's sports after MMA fighter Fallon Fox, swimmer Lia Thomas, and cyclist Austin Killips.
The mentioned trans athletes eventually forced Tamika Brents, Riley Gaines, and Hannah Arensman to retire from their respective sports early.
