Gender Doesn't MATter

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  Wai'anae, Hawai'i
  November 23, 2013
  
  In today’s society when some people think of the sport of wrestling they think about large muscular men with strange stage names.
  
  “My favorite is Umaga” said Sani Pitolo.
  
  Greco-Roman wrestling is a combat sport which confronts two male competitors who try to gain control over their opponent through the use of throws, locks, and clinching techniques. The holds can only be executed by means of the upper body, with the ultimate goal of pinning the opponent's shoulders to the mat. Wrestling is not only a sport for boy but for girls too. Malie Gonsalves a Senior at Waianae High school dominates the mats when wrestling because to Malie it’s more than just a sport but a lifestyle. Although wrestling is a very physical sport, it is not all about being physically strong but also mentally.
  
  At Waianae High Schools senior Malie Gonsalves said “My struggles was mostly mental cause you need to have a strong mental attitude to be able to wrestle and so once you get mentally strong then the physical part gets easier”.
  
  Last year Gonsalves competed for the OIA championship finals in the last match while losing by six points in the first two period she remembered to not give up and won her match by two points and became the OIA champion. When overcoming her struggles from the help of her father; her biggest encouragement knowing what she goes through and what it takes to be on top also brings her up to do better. With the season starting back up learning wrestling techniques, strength training and conditioning Gonsalves proves to herself to be better of what others think of her.
  
  “Well when people underestimate me I just try to prove them wrong and I can make myself better at the same time” Gonsalves said.
  
  Knowing when she doesn’t do her best, Gonsalves betters herself for the next one while looking foward and prepares for her next match. By getting introduced to the sport by her father, to Malie wrestling is more than just a sport but a lifestyle.
  
  “My plans after high school is hopefully go to college on the mainland and if possible and get a full scholarship to wrestle” Malie said.
  
  Continuing to wrestle after high school Gonsalves is looking at the University of Oregon women’s wrestling team as a possible option. Hoping to go to college on the mainland and the possibility of getting a full scholarship to wrestle Malie continues to do what is her whole life.

“Wrestling is more than a sport it's pretty much my whole life it's a lifestyle."

Malie Gonsalves said.

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Looking Back

One thing I learned from this experience is that wrestling is not only being physically strong but you also need to have a strong mental attitude.

Dani Kaohe-David, Reporter

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Having a strong mental strength will always help you overcome all things that is physical.  I enjoyed learning that Wrestling is much more than fitness.

Delilah Rountree, Photographer

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