Trans fencer unseats 14-time women's champion in over 70 category

On Sunday, a trans-identifying biological male took first place in the 70+ category at the FIE Veteran Fencing World Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida. 

American Liza Kocab bested 14-time champion and biological woman Marja-Liisa Someroja, with Kocab taking his eight title. 

Video of the match between 6'1 Kocab and Someroja shows the difference between the two fencers.

Even the announcer mentioned how Kocab's "long limbs" helped, and hindered, his performance against a shorter opponent.

Following the win, Kocab said he was motivated to take part in the event because it was held in the United States. 

"I wanted to support USA Fencing, I really did," Kocab said. "Otherwise I was actually thinking of stepping away, but the fact that it was in America. I thought it was important to support USA Fencing the best I could. This was my way of saying thanks to USA Fencing."

Through teary eyes, Kocab explained how "special" it was to take home the gold medal, and thanked the fencing community for accepting individuals "as they are."

The governing body for the sport in the United States allows athletes to "participate in USA Fencing-sanctioned events in a manner consistent with their gender identity/expression, regardless of the gender associated with the sex they were assigned at birth."

The Fédération Internationale d'Escrime, which oversees fencing worldwide, has also adopted a policy that gives fencers the ability to take part in whichever gender category they so choose.

In defense of having men compete against women, a member of the organization cited the fact that "there is no actual safety data of the risks to cis female fencers when fencing males or transgender females." He added that "males fencing females is very common worldwide in training."