In a viral clip, Welsh grappling champion Ffion Davies has shed light on the persistent gender discrimination she has encountered throughout her Jiu-Jitsu journey.
Davies, known for her exceptional technical skills and competitive achievements, shared her experiences of facing systematic sexism on the mats. “I was so used to hearing sexist jokes, sexist comments, this move isn’t for you, you’re a woman, and just walking off,” Davies revealed, highlighting the casual discrimination that has pervaded her training environment.
The accomplished athlete described how she was often denied equal coaching opportunities, recounting instances where instructors would dismiss female practitioners with attitudes like “no point coaching the girls.” Perhaps most telling was her account of receiving backhanded compliments about her abilities. “I’ve had the compliment, not a compliment, of, ‘oh, you’re not like a girl. You’re not like a girl, you don’t roll like a girl,'” she explained.
More concerningly, Davies admitted that the pervasive nature of these attitudes had temporarily influenced her own perspective. “So used to it that I almost became like that as well. I was like, ‘oh yeah, girls just aren’t as good. Yeah, sure,'” she reflected, illustrating how deeply ingrained these biases can become.
Davies’s decision to speak out comes at a time when the martial arts community is experiencing increased scrutiny regarding gender equality and inclusivity.
