The topic of gender equality in athletics has, throughout the course of time, often given rise to intense arguments, particularly in the domain of physical strength. When discussing the possibility of mixing male and female participants during sporting events, the issue naturally arises as to whether or not their physical capabilities are comparable to one another. On the other hand, some individuals believe that there is no need for gender discrepancy in competitions as long as the participants are professionals. Keeping this in mind, it is quite likely that some athletes will choose not to compete in events if they adhere to the earlier viewpoint.
In 2019, high school senior Brendan Johnston from The Classical Academy (TCA) competed in the Colorado High School Activities Association State Wrestling Tournament. Johnston performed this same thing when he was there. Alongside junior wrestler Angel Rios from Valley High School, Johnston was scheduled to participate in what turned out to be the final round of the regional wrestling tournament, which is open to both male and female competitors. However, he decided not to continue playing at the beginning of the match, which meant that Rios was the final qualifier at the state level. The choice that Johnston made was impacted by his personal as well as religious convictions.
Rios, who is Johnston’s female equivalent, was taken aback by his choice. Johnston, on the other hand, was certain that it was the appropriate action to take. Due to the fact that her family enjoys competing in combat sports, Rios has had a deep interest in wrestling ever since she was a youngster. She was a fierce competitor throughout the whole competition. Her father was an important figure in their lives, and he encouraged all of her brothers’ wrestling careers. When Rios was a little girl, she asked her father all the time to allow her wrestle with the boys, and when he eventually gave her, he admonished her to keep fighting until she won. She competed in the Cadet Pan-Am Games in 2017, where she was awarded the gold medal.
It became clear that Rios had made the choice to choose his principles above competition when the time came for him to face Johnston, who held the TCA championship. Before approaching the official in charge of the Class 3A consolation rounds, Johnston had a quick conversation with Sean Collins, who was Johnston’s coach, during the third round of the competition. In hindsight, it seems that he chose not to participate in the games, which allowed Rios to emerge victorious and earn a berth in the state competition. When asked about his motivation, the child relayed the following information to The Denver Post:
Johnston elucidated his position by saying, “I’m not really comfortable with a couple of things with wrestling a girl.” “Wrestling involves a significant amount of physical contact,” the announcer said. He went on to say that wrestling is not who we are but rather something that we do. And my participation in wrestling is not the most important thing in my life. I am willing to have those priorities, too.
Johnston went on to say that he has no regrets about his choice and that he believes his identity “lies elsewhere.” Rios was underwhelmed by the turn of events after learning about them, but she respected the choice made by her fellow competitor. She made the observation, “It’s his decision, and I understand that if it goes against his religion.” I have no influence over the current predicament, so if he choose to act in that manner, then I suppose it is entirely his responsibility.
Rios was not the only female rival who Johnston chose not to engage in a fight with while the competition was going on. Earlier, in the opening round of the Class 3A 106-pound bracket, he was scheduled to battle Skyview High senior wrestler Jaslynn Gallegos, but he was forced to forfeit the match. Gallegos, in contrast to Rios, “kind of” took what was said to heart. She said, as reported by the Washington Post, “My whole thing is that I’m not a girl wrestler; I’m just a wrestler.”
She and Rios would then compete in the Boys Wrestling State Tournament, where they would face off against other male competitors. The girls finished in fourth and fifth places, making history in the process. Rios broke barriers by being the first woman to place in the top four of the tournament.