«Breaking News» Colorado wrestler, 18, forfeits two state tournament matches against girls due to his religion

A Colorado wrestler forfeited two state tournament matches against girls due to his religious beliefs, ending his high school career in the sport.

Brendan Johnston, 18, pulled out of his match against Skyview High senior Jaslynn Gallegos in the first round of the tournament last month. 

The senior at the Classical Academy in Colorado Springs then decided against fighting junior at Valley High Angel Rios in his third-round consolation match.

He said the move - which ended his high school wrestling career - was down to his religious and personal beliefs.

Brendan, who is Christian, told KDVR: '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 Johnston, left, pulled out of his match against against Skyview High senior Jaslynn Gallegos and then decided against fighting junior at Valley High Angel Rios, right. 

Brendan Johnston, left, shakes hands with Angel Rios after he forfeited the third-round consolation match in the Colorado state wrestling meet Saturday in Denver

He added: '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.

'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.'

Johnson has not wrestled a female since starting the sport in seventh grade despite wrestling not being a sanctioned sport in the state. 

He told The Denver Post: 'And I guess the physical aggression, too. I don't want to treat a young lady like that on the mat. Or off the mat. And not to disrespect the heart or the effort that she's put in. That's not what I want to do, either.

'Wrestling is something we do, it's not who we are. And there are more important things to me than my wrestling. And I'm willing to have those priorities.' 

Angel Rios of Valley High School, left, competing against James Cordova of Sheridan High School during the state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center

Rios, who placed fourth, started wrestling when she was five. Brendan decided against wrestling the junior at Valley High Angel in his third-round consolation match

Rios, who came fourth, and Gallegos, who came fifth, became the first females to place at the tournament 

Rios, who came fourth, and Gallegos, who came  fifth, became the first females to place at the tournament.

Of Johnson's decision, Gallegos, who started wrestling when she was five, told The Washington Post: 'This whole time that I've wrestled, it's just me trying to prove a point that I am just a wrestler.

'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.'

 

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/03/colorado-wrestler-18-forfeits-two-state-tournament-matches-against-girls-due-to-his-religion/
Main photo article A Colorado wrestler forfeited two state tournament matches against girls due to his religious beliefs, ending his high school career in the sport.
Brendan Johnston, 18, pulled out of his match against Skyview High senior Jaslynn Gallegos in the first round of the tournament last...

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Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca





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