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Oklahoma State Athletic Commission considers lifting ban on intergender wrestling

Posted: Jul 14th 2024 By: David Chasanov

Oklahoma's ban on intergender wrestling matches could be coming to an end.

After hearing from wrestlers who say the ban has hurt their experience, Oklahoma State Athletic commissioners showed their interest in changing the rule.

"I 100% can honestly say that it is wrong, dead wrong, couldn't be any wronger for Oklahoma to regulate wrestling," Wrestler Brandon Groom said.

On Wednesday, Groom argued to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission (OSAC) that its ban on intergender matches should be lifted.

"I know one person in particular that's really in a bad place because of not being able to wrestle here in Oklahoma."

Then commissioner Dr. Larry Lovelace shared his take on the rule.

"Men vs. women, I agree. I think that it's choreography," Dr. Lovelace said. "I think that we should try to get that [rule] changed."

Commissioner Rick Garrett has safety concerns, but says he isn't opposed to it possibly changing.

"I don't have a problem with the guys wrestling the girls, but I can't approve it," Garrett said. "I think if you can go to the state, and get your legislators to go through the process, then that would be fine with me."

OSAC agreed to create a committee that would establish rules for lawmakers to consider next year, guidelines that could involve the ban.

Commissioner Wes Nofire offered a preview of what that might look like.

"We can put on things the number of fights the women have to have beforehand, so they've already had experience in choreography on their stunts," Nofire said.

OSAC didn't vote on the measure, but wrestler Logan Knight left the meeting feeling hopeful.

"I do feel better about where things stand," Knight said. "I actually can't wait to leave [the building], and tell my tag partner that things are looking so much better for me and her to be able to wrestle in this state."