When 18-year-old Brendan Johnson, a high school wrestler from Colorado, saw that he was going to be matched against female wrestlers in the state competition, he made the decision to withdraw from the tournament.

While Johnson stated that he quit due to his faith, there are critics who question his reasons. Regardless, Johnson forfeited his matches against Jaslynn Gallegos and Angel Rios, both of whom went on to place in the competition.

Johnson attends Classical Academy in Colorado Springs and identifies as a Christian. In an interview with KDVR, he explained that being physically close to a woman goes against his religious beliefs. He stated, “It’s so physical, physically close. I don’t think that’s really appropriate with a girl. It’s also very aggressive, and I’m not really, I think, comfortable with that.” Johnson elaborated on his views on Christianity and wrestling, stating that his beliefs and experiences contribute to his discomfort with fighting a woman, but he does not see it as a question of equality.

Critics of Johnson’s decision argue that it is sexist and holds female wrestlers back. In an interview with The Washington Post, Gallegos expressed her perspective on Johnson’s withdrawal, saying, “This whole time that I have fought, it’s just me trying to prove a point that I am just a wrestler. So the fact that my gender is something that kind of holds me back still is just a little stressful, but I respect his decision.” Gallegos emphasized that she sees herself as a wrestler rather than a “girl wrestler.”

While the controversy surrounding Johnson’s forfeits continues, it is clear that his decision was deeply rooted in his personal beliefs. While some question his reasoning, Johnson believes that forfeiting was a better choice for him than compromising his faith. Although his high school wrestling career may have come to an end, he stands by his decision and maintains that there are more important things in life than wrestling.