A high school wrestler from Colorado made news when he chose to forfeit two matches against female opponents in the state tournament, primarily because of his personal and religious convictions.

During the recent state tournament, 18-year-old Brendan Johnston, a senior at the Classical Academy in Colorado Springs, pulled out of his first-round matchup with Skyview High senior Jaslynn Gallegos. His high school wrestling career was essentially over when he made a similar decision in his third-round consolation match against Valley High junior Angel Rios.

Johnston, a self-described Christian, voiced his concerns on the physical aspects of wrestling versus female opponents. He said, “It’s so physical, physically close,” in an interview with KDVR. That isn’t really proper with a young woman, in my opinion. Additionally, it’s incredibly aggressive, and I suppose that makes me uncomfortable.”

He explained that his choice was the result of a complicated interaction between his personal experiences, upbringing, and faith. Brendan stressed that he understands that men and women are fundamentally different and should be treated as such, rather than viewing female wrestlers as inferior. According to him, recognizing these distinctions does not go against the notion of gender equality.

Remarkably, Brendan had not faced a female opponent since he began wrestling in seventh grade, despite the fact that wrestling is not officially sanctioned as a sport in Colorado. He conveyed his reluctance to engage in the physical aggression associated with the sport when competing against a female, both on and off the mat. He was determined not to disrespect the dedication and effort female wrestlers put into their matches. Brendan stressed that wrestling was an activity they engaged in, not a definition of who they were. He added that other priorities in life held greater significance to him.

Angel Rios and Jaslynn Gallegos became the first women to place in the event, placing fourth and fifth, respectively. Gallegos, who started wrestling when she was five years old, said she respected and understood Brendan’s choice, stating that she considered herself a wrestler and not a “girl wrestler.” She did not object to Brendan’s decision, even though she admitted that her gender might still be a constraint.

Discussions concerning the relationship between gender, athletics, and personal beliefs have been triggered by the incident. As this discussion progresses, it’s critical to identify strategies for tackling gender-related issues in sports while also respecting individual preferences.