There’s something admirable about standing by your beliefs, even if it means making sacrifices. Brendan Johnston, a former high school wrestler from Colorado, exemplified this when he chose to forfeit two state tournament matches against girls in 2018. Despite ending his high school wrestling career prematurely, Brendan cited his religious and personal beliefs as the reasons behind his decision.
The debate surrounding physical competition between adult males and females has gained significant attention in recent years. It is widely believed that pitting men and women against each other in sports is unfair due to the inherent differences between the sexes, both biologically and otherwise. Brendan, an 18-year-old senior at the Classical Academy in Colorado Springs, strongly opposed the idea of wrestling against Jaslynn Gallegos from Skyview High in the first round of the state tournament that year. He also refrained from participating in his third-round consolation match against Angel Rios from Valley High.
In an interview with KDVR, Brendan, a devout Christian, explained his perspective. He said, “Wrestling is a physically close sport. I don’t think it’s appropriate to go against a young lady in that way. It’s also a very aggressive sport, and I’m not comfortable with that.” Brendan’s decision stems from his faith, upbringing, and his understanding that men and women possess inherent differences while still being of equal value.
Despite Brendan’s principled stand, he finished in sixth place, while Jaslynn and Angel placed fourth and fifth, respectively. Jaslynn expressed her disappointment with Brendan’s refusal to compete against her. In an interview with the Washington Post, she explained, “Throughout my wrestling journey, I’ve been trying to prove that I’m just a wrestler. So the fact that my gender is still something that holds me back is a little disheartening. However, I respect his decision. It’s fine. But I can’t help but take it to heart.”
It is important to have open discussions about Brendan’s decision and its implications. What do you think about Brendan’s choice not to wrestle against a female opponent? Let us know in the comments below. Meanwhile, if you found this article interesting, check out the suggested articles below for more thought-provoking content.
