Hijabi Wrestlers Participate In Singapore Promotion Match On 3 Dec
When it comes to professional wrestling attire, most people would naturally think of colourful and loud costumes. The hijab, a symbol of modesty, is certainly not a piece of clothing that’s usually associated with the wrestling ring.
But two wrestlers proved that the hijab could well be a part of the sport when they featured in a professional wrestling match in Singapore recently.
Source: @grapplemax on Instagram
Turns out, there’s actually a touching storyline between the two wrestlers — one apparently inspired the other to take part at all.
Hijabi wrestlers compete in tag team match in Singapore
On Saturday (3 Dec), Singapore professional wrestling promotion Grapplemax held its Gold Standard event to celebrate its sixth anniversary.
Source: Grapplemax on Facebook
Of the five matches, one, in particular, caught the eye of fans — a tag team match featuring not one, but two hijabi fighters in each corner of the ring.
Over in one corner was Grapplemax’s Sarah, accompanied by her tag team partner ‘Crypto Bro’ LK.
Source: @grapplemax on Instagram
Over in the other corner was Malaysia’s Nor ‘Phoenix’ Diana and Shaukat.
Source: @grapplemax on Instagram
Diana is widely known as the world’s first hijabi wrestler and came to fame after beating four men in 2019 to become the Malaysia Pro Wrestling Wrestlecon champion. She wrestles under APAC Wrestling, based in Malaysia.
Source: Tatler Asia
During the Gold Standard event, it was Diana and Shaukat who emerged victorious, after Sarah tapped to a submission by the Malaysian.
Source: @Grapplemax on Twitter
Despite being in opposite corners of the ring, the respect Sarah and Diana had for each other was evident as they raised each others’ hands at the end of the match.
Source: @Grapplemax on Twitter
One inspired the other to join professional wrestling
While the match lasted just 16 minutes, the relationship between both wrestlers apparently goes way back.
Turns out, it was Diana who inspired Sarah to step into professional wrestling in the first place.
Acknowledging this in a promotional video, Diana said it would be an honour to share the ring with Sarah.
She also recalled feeling “excited” when she learned that there was another hijabi wrestler at Grapplemax, as she wouldn’t “feel alone anymore”.
A first in sunny Singapore
Speaking to MS News, Mr Greg Ho – CEO of Grapplemax – said the match came together “organically”.
He added that Diana had graced Grapplemax’s ring as a guest wrestler back in 2018, during the early days of her career.
As part of Grapplemax’s sixth-anniversary event, Mr Ho said it was “meaningful” to have a match featuring both wrestlers.
He also shared that to his knowledge, this is the first time two hijabis were involved in a professional wrestling match in Singapore.
It’s certainly heartening to see a homegrown wrestling promotion embodying the value of inclusivity.
We hope Sarah and Diana’s achievements in the ring will encourage others to join the sport and not let their dresscode define what’s possible for them.
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Featured image adapted from @grapplemax on Instagram and @Grapplemax on Twitter.Â
