Muslim wrestlers hit out at uniform rules

The Impact Wrestling Academy includes younger members who dream of one day representing Team GB

Female members of a wrestling club have been unable to compete in international competitions because they refuse to wear a singlet for religious reasons.

Haniyah Kousar, who coaches at Impact Fitness Academy in Birmingham, said the singlet exposed the full leg and arms, with the neck line also being too low.

To compete at United World Wrestling (UWW) competitions, including the Olympics, participants must comply with uniform guidelines, which require women to wear a singlet.

"Religiously, we can't show that skin," Ms Kousar said.

However, students at the Impact Wrestling Academy said the restrictions would not stop them from aiming to compete on a global stage.

Student Asia said: "I dream of representing team GB in the Olympics one day and the singlet will not stop me from trying."

One woman who could not take part in the final Team USA trials for the Paris Olympics due to the UWW rules was Jamilah McBryde.

She said: "Even though we were denied the opportunity to compete in the Olympic trials... we're still going to fight for the right to compete, not only or myself, but for my younger sisters, for all young girls [not just Muslims], all young women for who wearing the singlet doesn't feel comfortable."

McBryde surprised the young girls at the Birmingham club via Zoom during one of their lessons and shared her story to empower them to fight on.

Haniyah Kousar said British Wrestling Association rules were far more inclusive

Ms Kousar, who is believed to be the UK's first ever Muslim female wrestling coach, trains up to 20 young girls at the Impact Fitness Academy.

Despite international uniform restrictions, Ms Kousar said rules were more relaxed for competitions under the British Wrestling Association.

On their website, they say: "In line with making the sport more accessible, competition wear requirements have been relaxed for all levels of competition within the control of British Wrestling.

"For National and Club level competitions tight tops and leggings can be worn under a traditional wrestling singlet.

"For lower-level competitions, the requirement for a singlet has been removed though wrestlers will need to be clearly identifiable as either red or blue."

The United Word Wrestling body did not respond to the BBC's request for a comment.