In 2018, Brendan Johnston, a former high school wrestler from Colorado, made a bold decision that would end his career in the sport. He forfeited two state tournament matches against female opponents, citing his religious and personal beliefs as the reasons for his refusal.

The ongoing debate surrounding the inclusion of male and female athletes in direct physical competition once again came to the forefront. Many voices argue that such matchups are inherently unfair, given the biological and physical contrasts between genders.

At the time, Johnston, an 18-year-old senior at the Classical Academy in Colorado Springs, expressed discomfort at the prospect of facing Jaslynn Gallegos from Skyview High and also declined a match against Angel Rios from Valley High during a crucial third-round consolation bout. In explaining his stance, grounded in his Christian faith, Johnston remarked, “It’s so physical, physically close. I don’t think that’s really appropriate with a young lady.” He also reiterated his belief in gender equality, highlighting that despite differences, men and women hold equal worth.

Following Johnston’s decision, he secured a sixth-place finish in the tournament, with Gallegos and Rios claiming fourth and fifth place, respectively. While Gallegos expressed disappointment with Johnston’s choice, she also respected his convictions. For her, wrestling transcends gender labels, focusing instead on demonstrating prowess on the mat.

Johnston’s story has sparked discussions around the appropriateness of his decision to abstain from wrestling against female competitors.