Bwipo faces outrage after saying women should avoid competitive League during periods

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As a passionate follower, I find myself grappling with the recent comments made by professional League of Legends player from Belgium, Gabriël ‘Bwipo’ Rau. His statement suggesting that women should abstain from competitive play during menstruation has sparked controversy and criticism in the gaming community.

During a September 2025 live stream, while engaged in a game of League, Bwipo started conversing about the role of women in the competitive gaming world.

Initially, Bwipo seemed to express empathy towards women in the eSports industry, acknowledging the absence of adequate support for professional female players and noting the bodily transformations associated with menstruation.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed a concerning gap – the lack of adequate support for female pro players. I believe that due to physiological differences between us and male counterparts, particularly monthly cycles, women face unique challenges during competitions that aren’t adequately addressed. In my view, a more comprehensive support system tailored to women’s needs is long overdue in the gaming community.

Yet, his subsequent remarks ignited a whirlwind of criticisms aimed at him, when he suggested that women should abstain from playing competitive video games while they are menstruating.

Many individuals, including men, can become extremely frustrated when they play League of Legends. Some women may find it challenging to perform optimally during certain times of their monthly cycle, making competitive gameplay difficult. In my view, these specific moments in a woman’s cycle might not be ideal for engaging in competitive games.

As a gaming enthusiast, I had the opportunity to cohabit with someone who was deeply immersed in League of Legends ranked play for a significant period. It became strikingly apparent when she would become visibly agitated by even minor setbacks during gameplay. I want to clarify that I am not making any gender-based assumptions, this observation was simply based on my personal experience.

Bwipo on why he thinks women can’t be competitive players
byu/DionCassius9 inleagueoflegends

Instead of suggesting, Bwipo recommended that professional female gamers might consider taking it easy or spending more time reviewing pre-recorded gameplay during their menstrual cycle, implying that those who experience menstruation may not have the same level of competitive edge as those who do not due to hormonal changes.

He expressed that he believes the task is quite challenging rather than impossible, based on his personal experience. He admitted this might not be accurate, but emphasized that women can certainly participate and excel in other competitive activities such as chess and various physical sports.

Bwipo sparks backlash over remarks about women in esports

Although Bwipo claimed that his comments were not intended to be sexist, a video clip discussing the topic, which spread rapidly on social media, ignited fury among women in the esports world and the League community.

Whoa, that remark seems quite biased towards one gender, which is unfortunate.” or “It appears that comment is rather sexist. This certainly doesn’t reflect well on Bwipo or Flyquest organization image-wise.

“What does Bwipo think women do in other sports?” another asked.

It’s generally advisable for individuals experiencing menstruation not to engage in high-intensity competitive activities due to physiological reasons. However, it is essential to acknowledge and respect each individual’s unique experiences with their periods.

— Church of Chovy (fan) (@chovygoat) September 9, 2025

As an ardent admirer, let me rephrase it this way: In a passionate post on TikTok, esports host Sjokz didn’t hold back, labeling his perspective as “ignorant” and asserting that he was disseminating potentially harmful “rhetoric” to his audience.

That’s quite an unusual perspective! It seems you believe that women are primarily limited by their menstrual cycles. However, women are defying expectations and breaking records at the Olympics while enduring periods. They’re also working tirelessly for 24 hours as nurses despite menstrual pains and fatigue.

Let me clarify something here: Playing League of Legends? That’s quite a leap! Pause for a moment… Additionally, the idea that men never show emotion while playing League of Legends is problematic. I believe it’s oversimplified and potentially harmful to make such statements. It’s crucial to consider the wider implications and the damage this kind of language can inflict on women.

So far, Bwipo hasn’t released any statements about the ongoing controversy related to his viral remarks. However, FlyQuest, the team he represents, has stated on their Discord server that they are paying attention to this matter and dealing with it internally.

Nevertheless, the organization has come under criticism as well, owing to their declaration that they intended to ban individuals for sharing any further messages about the subject on their servers.

Discussing Bwipo being sexist will result in a ban from FlyQuest

— Veteran (@VeteranEMEA) September 9, 2025

On multiple occasions, Bwipo has been involved in heated debates or conflicts within the League community. Known for his intense game reactions and extensive critiques of fellow professional gamers, he doesn’t shy away from voicing his opinions.

In September 2024, Bwipo received contact from LS and subsequently reached out to a healthcare specialist for mental health evaluation. After reviewing several heated outbursts directed at other professionals, the specialist provided Bwipo with an official diagnosis.

After the incident, Bwipo commented, “I’ve often found myself in contentious situations, and my resilience allows me to take criticism without letting it bother me too much.

While it’s always enjoyable to be praised as the top player and considered the ‘goat,’ I acknowledge that there are areas in my gameplay that need improvement. Therefore, I must dedicate myself to rigorous practice to address these flaws and strive for further growth.

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2025-09-09 23:20