There’s always a significant amount of respect to be gained for adhering to your beliefs or making sacrifices in the name of your faith.

Brendan Johnston, a former high school wrestler from Colorado, exemplifies this principle. In 2018, he reportedly chose to forfeit two state tournament matches scheduled against female opponents.

By taking this stance, he effectively concluded his high school wrestling career, citing his religious and personal convictions as the grounds for declining the matches.

The debate surrounding the inclusion of male versus female athletes in physical competition is more prevalent now than ever before.

Generally, people tend to agree that pitting men against women in sports is unfair. The inherent biological and physiological differences between the sexes create an uneven playing field from the start.

At 18 years old, Brendan Johnston rejected the idea of competing against Jaslynn Gallegos of Skyview High in the first round of a state tournament in 2018. Brendan, then a senior at the Classical Academy in Colorado Springs, also chose not to wrestle Angel Rios from Valley High in his third-round consolation match.

In an interview with KDVR, Brendan, a Christian, expressed his discomfort with the physical proximity and aggressiveness of wrestling against a young woman. He attributed his decision partly to his faith, upbringing, and personal experiences.

Brendan emphasized that he doesn’t view women as unequal but acknowledges the inherent differences between men and women while advocating for equality.

As a result of Brendan’s decision, he finished sixth in the tournament, while Angel and Jaslynn placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

Jaslynn expressed disappointment with Brendan’s decision, stating that she has always strived to prove herself solely as a wrestler, regardless of gender. She respected Brendan’s choice but felt disheartened by the implication that her gender hindered her in the sport.

For more information on Brendan’s decision, you can find it here: