A STUDENT, WHO WAS WRESTLING FOR HIS HIGHSCHOOL, HAD FORFEIT HIS PLACE WHEN HE SAW HIS OPPONENT
Brendan Johnston from Colorado, was competing in a state tournament in wrestling for his highschool, in 2018. He was going strong, but forfeited his place in the tournament, when he faced with female competitors.
He had stated that his religious and personal faith had prevented him with competing with female wrestlers.
He was faced with Jaslynn Gallegos of Skyview High, and when he had raised to one upper bracket of the tournamet, he resigned, when he learned that he was going to face with, Angel Rios from Valley High.
“It’s so physical, physically close. I don’t think that’s really appropriate with a young lady. It’s also very aggressive and I’m not really, I guess, comfortable with that.” Brendan had said to KDVR.
“There is something that I really do find problematic about the idea of wrestling with a girl, and a part of that does come from my faith and my belief.”
“And a part of that does come from how I was raised to treat women as well as maybe from different experiences and things.” Brendan continued.
“I don’t think that I am looking at them as not equal. I am saying that they are women and that is different than being men, because I do believe that men and women are different and we are made differently.”
“But I still believe that women are of equal value to men. I don’t think that seeing men and women as different [opposes] the idea of equality.”
Jaslynn, the opponent of Brandon, was disappointed with his withdrawal. “This whole time that I’ve wrestled, it’s just me trying to prove a point that I am just a wrestler.” she said.
“And so the fact that my gender is something that kind of holds me back still is just a little nerve-racking, but I respect his decision. It’s fine.”
“My whole thing is that I’m not a girl wrestler; I’m just a wrestler. So it kind of doesn’t hurt my feelings, but I do kind of take it to heart.”
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