Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston, a trailblazing Iranian-American wrestler, is spearheading an initiative to design a wrestling singlet that accommodates the religious and cultural needs of conservative Muslim women. This effort marks a significant step toward inclusivity in international sports.
Background of the Initiative
Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston, renowned as the first American woman to earn a medal at the world freestyle wrestling championships, embarked on this mission following a visit to Jordan in February. During her trip, Johnston encountered young female wrestlers facing a conflict between their passion for the sport and their religious obligation to maintain modesty in public.
One of these athletes inspired Johnston to address this issue. “I saw myself in her,” Johnston stated. “She loves the sport of wrestling, and I wanted to provide the opportunity for her and others in the world.”
Development of the New Wrestling Singlet
Upon returning to the U.S., Johnston assembled a team of designers and manufacturers to develop a wrestling uniform that adheres to both international wrestling standards and the modesty requirements of observant Muslim women. The primary objectives were to ensure the singlet was tight enough to avoid safety issues while preventing any advantage due to loose fabric.
Collaborating with Tim Pane, CEO of MyHouse Sports Gear, and former clothing designer Melissa Veselovsky, along with Usman Shahbaz from MyHouse’s manufacturing team in Pakistan, Johnston successfully created a prototype known as Cultural Religious Compliance Gear.
Support and Future Plans
The Arab Wrestling Federation, with Mohammed Awamleh as its head, is working toward presenting a finalized version of the singlet in August during the under-17 world championships in Amman. Some athletes may even begin practicing with the draft versions of the singlet.
USA Wrestling has also expressed support for this initiative. Rich Bender, the executive director of USA Wrestling, commented, “USA Wrestling is proud and honored to work alongside such a strong wrestling ambassador as Afsoon Johnston on the purpose of making our sport accessible to all.”
Johnston’s Background and Continued Involvement
Johnston’s journey began in Iran, where her father, Manu Roshanzamir, taught her wrestling moves despite the restrictive modesty rules of the Islamic Republic. After fleeing to the U.S. in 1983, Johnston joined the wrestling team at her high school in San Jose, California. She competed internationally, earning a bronze at the 1989 World Championships and a silver the following year. Although she retired before women’s wrestling became an Olympic sport in 2000, Johnston remains actively involved, including coaching the U.S. women’s team at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Impact and Broader Implications
Johnston’s February visit to Jordan aimed to stimulate interest in women’s wrestling in the Arab region, facilitated by Dan Russell, executive director of Wrestling for Peace. Russell emphasized wrestling’s value in overcoming life’s challenges and advocated for inclusive clothing options that respect cultural and religious values.
The Jordan Wrestling Federation, which reestablished its national team for girls and women in 2022 after a 15-year hiatus, has seen the number of female wrestlers grow to nearly 40, including 10 on the national team.
If successful, Johnston’s new singlet could further Jordan’s role in pioneering sports breakthroughs for Muslim women, following the 2012 recognition of Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein by FIFA for his efforts to lift the ban on Islamic headgear in soccer.
FAQ
1. Who is Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston? Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston is an Iranian-American wrestler who was the first American woman to win a medal at the world freestyle wrestling championships. She is leading an initiative to create an inclusive wrestling singlet for conservative Muslim women.
2. What inspired Johnston to develop a new wrestling singlet? Johnston was inspired by her encounter with young Jordanian female wrestlers who faced challenges reconciling their religious practices with their passion for wrestling.
3. What are the main features of the new wrestling singlet? The new singlet, known as Cultural Religious Compliance Gear, is designed to meet safety standards while accommodating religious modesty requirements. It aims to prevent slippage and ensure a tight fit.
4. Who is involved in the design and manufacturing of the singlet? Johnston collaborated with Tim Pane of MyHouse Sports Gear, clothing designer Melissa Veselovsky, and Usman Shahbaz from MyHouse’s manufacturing team in Pakistan.
5. What is the current status of the singlet? The singlet is in prototype form, with draft versions expected to be tested by athletes. A finalized version is anticipated to be presented during the under-17 world championships in August.
6. How has USA Wrestling supported this initiative? USA Wrestling has endorsed Johnston’s effort, highlighting its commitment to making wrestling accessible to all athletes regardless of their religious or cultural practices.
7. What is Johnston’s background in wrestling? Johnston was trained in wrestling by her father in Iran and continued her career in the U.S., where she achieved international recognition. She remains involved in the sport as a coach and advocate.
8. How might this new singlet impact women’s wrestling? If successful, the singlet could set a precedent for accommodating religious and cultural practices in sports, potentially encouraging more conservative Muslim women to participate in wrestling and other sports.
9. What other advancements have been made in inclusive sports for Muslim women? Jordan has previously made strides by overturning the ban on Islamic headgear in soccer, and the country is now supporting the inclusion of women in wrestling through various initiatives.
10. How has women’s wrestling evolved in Jordan? Jordan’s national wrestling team for women was reestablished in 2022, leading to a significant increase in female wrestlers and greater opportunities for participation in both local and international competitions.
