Wrestling has given me so many positive memories it is hard to pick just one to talk about. My most recent memory was just a week ago competing at Folkstyle Nationals in Colorado.
I road with a group of girls all from Texas and became very close to them all. It was one of the first times in a year which I stayed smiling the entire time. It wasn’t about the wins or losses but the experiences during the rides to various locations, site seeing, hotel stay, eating together as a team, and cheering for each other was simply awesome.
At the start of my senior year I had an issue with a male HS coach and I ended up speaking up to administration and ended up leaving the team. There were many females and males who left the team and no parents or teammates even raised any issues higher. By me being the first, I was ignored like all issues never happened. I left the team as a defending state champion, and was ranked 3rd in the nation last year after Fargo at #3, and then late last year moving up to 138 ranked #10. I workout before school, immediately after, then go to club at night. I didn’t get there by being lazy like the HS coach acted.
This last tournament allowed me to finish my Folkstyle career on my terms. I didn’t have a HS Folkstyle season and still finished 3rd but more importantly I learned how fun this sport can be again. I had so many wrestlers I rode with on the side of my mat cheering me on as I cheered during their matches as well. It was so inspiring watching each other.
I persevered during an obstacle this year attending the tournament when I was mentally done with the sport. Attending this trip helped me decide I have so much more left and cannot wait for college to pursue my degree and then become a wrestling coach myself. There are not that many female wrestling coaches in Texas and I want to give future girls an opportunity to learn from a female coach who will not treat them with disrespect.
I started out competing against males and ran into male coaches or parents who didn’t want their son competing against me.
I have been able to meet a lot of high level female wrestlers like Randi Miller Olympic bronze medalist, Adeline Gray a six time world champion, and Sara McMann Olympic silver medalist.
These ladies helped encourage me and my latest memory is empowering after looking back and watching a video of one of my matches that had nothing to do with what was going on on the mat but what I saw on the side of the mat. Watching new friends and a few I recently met this year start jumping up and down and seeing it on a video in a different light, helps me realize just how awesome this sport can be.
I want to continue helping younger female wrestlers pursue their dreams when I’m done. I want to use my many memories and experiences to give back, let them understand that if I can do it they can too. I want them to know it’s not always an easy road but we can all get through it together even if we do have to meet on the mat against each other. Together we can grow the sport and crush old societal norms.
This experience ranks barley above my experience at Fargo last year finishing 3rd which was a great memory.
Wrestling means a lot to me because as an Iranian American, it connects me to my culture, and as a female; I know that I’m making history for my Iranian women today. Wrestling plays a big role in our culture. My dad was a very famous wrestler in Iran however, he shared nothing about the sport with me. Instead, my nephew. I haven’t seen him since middle school due to custody changes. Freshman’s year I got into wrestling. I wanted my father know woman can do anything. At the time, there were only three ladies on the team: me, Erika, and Isabella, they weren’t near my weight, so I was stuck with wrestling the guys. We began, I would get beat up daily not just that but having to deal with the stench of their armpits killed me. I told the coach, what’s the point if I’m always failing. Coach told me the only way you're going to get better is by losing. So I kept fighting. After weeks of suffering, it was time for our first tournament. I was put in a women's bracket. I was ready to lose and after I saw that I was put in the bracket with seniors. Furthermore, I glanced over and saw my nephew. I felt even worse. I got up and told the coach I can’t do this. My coach said you’re doing this. I tried to explain to him that If get defeated in front of my nephew he will tell my Father that I’m a failure. My coach looked at me and said, but what if you win, what will your dad think of you then?'' The coach was right, this is my chance to show my father I am a Champion. It was time for my first match. I’m face to face with a senior. The whistle blew, and I hit a double leg instantly to a pin. My arm raised then I looked over to the bleachers and everybody cheered me on and I loved it. I moved into the winning bracket and kept fighting until my first place medal match. I was face to face with my last senior. The whistle blew and we began. This was different it all of me but the crowd kept me going. Time was up I did it I won. Everybody cheered, I took the gold with disbelief. As I walked I overheard people talking about me in the bleachers like she's a freshman now. Imagine how good she will be as years go on. And I will show them, I will be a champion. The year went on, and I can gladly say I placed in every tournament. Next year came along. My partner injured me during warm-ups. I ended up going to the hospital. No bones were broken, but muscles were pulled, which caused me to not finish the season. Junior year I moved to Shawnee Mission South. This time I was the only woman on the team, I learned from my first year if that’s what was going to make me stronger so be it. Sadly there weren’t any tournaments for me to place in due to Covid, however we did have duels. I noticed I became better even better than the guys. Instead of losing I would dominate live matches daily. Currently, I’m a senior, and wrestling is around the corner. A lesson I learned is don’t give up. Don’t tell yourself you're weak due to an age gap or gender, and don’t be afraid of losing because that’s what will make you stronger.
