– You’re at a meeting with people you’ve known almost all your life, but then they don’t look at you and greet you. They say I should be stoned and burned. So it’s sad and painful to hear that, says Exauce Mukubu to news. The episode he refers to happened during a training session in Hungary last year. For a few in the wrestling community, it has been known for some time that he is bisexual, but it was only on Tuesday that he opened up about his orientation in Aftenposten. – I met some of those with whom I have long been very good friends through wrestling. We sat down, started chatting, and they asked how it went and stuff like that. People got into details where they said they had heard rumors about me, that I like both boys and girls… He explains that he confirmed the rumors – and that there was an immediate reaction: – They just said “ugh”. They spat and said that “people like you should be stoned and burned”. People don’t really say much now, just shake their heads and move on, really. WRESTLING PROFILE: Exauce Mukubu. Photo: NTB Because although there has been a preponderance of positive feedback, the reception in the international wrestling community has been mixed. – When they see me training with other wrestlers who don’t know that I’m bisexual, they say: “Be careful with that guy. He is like that and like that”. And it is rather sad that there are people who choose to withdraw because of that. The association has taken action So far, Mukubu has not experienced that anyone does not want to meet him in competition. What he fears, however, is that it may affect his training if he does not get enough resistance during the assembly due to his posture. – In that case, we have to resort to some new and smart solutions, and at the same time crush them properly when we first get there. MEET news: Exauce Mukubu in Sandvika on Thursday. Photo: Fredrik Saltbones / news The Norwegian Wrestling Association is aware of the problem and has taken simple measures to avoid conflict situations outside of training. He appreciates that very much. – We have agreed that if I feel any discomfort, and no one wants to train with me, then I must speak up. Then we boycott those gatherings. I hope that it will not be a scenario that we get to experience, because then it suddenly affects the whole team. – There have been individual cases Sports manager in the wrestling association Erling Strand tells news that they are proud of the openness. – That shows respect. We have supported him 100 per cent, says Strand, and adds that he believes the election means a lot to many people. SUPPORTS MUKUBU: – The most important thing was to be present so that “Exo” experienced backing from us and the team, says Strand. Photo: Fredrik Saltbones / news The sports manager notes with disappointment that not everyone has reacted supportively in connection with the openness. Some have reacted by following Mukubu on social media. – But to a large extent, I would say that we have not had any negative experiences, apart from individual cases. Then we have to choose to use energy on the things that give energy, says Strand. – Mukubu says he has to be careful outside the arena. What does the association do for him in that context? – We have a dialogue with the coaches who are around him, and we have a conscious bit of a precautionary principle about it. We have had a dialogue with the international association regarding what we should do if things arise. So for us it will be a bit of a precautionary principle, Strand answers. Will not go alone Wrestling is strong in several countries that have low acceptance of homosexuality and otherness, such as Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran. He has come to feel that on his body. – Situations can arise where I have been shopping at the store where we are at a coaching meeting, then you meet a group from Eastern Europe who have the old mentality there and are going to tough it out and maybe do something or slap their lip, says Mukubu . Then it’s nice to have good teammates. – They are often with me when we are out shopping and doing things together. So they really support me there, he says. – Everyone in the national team is 100 per cent behind him. We are a team, and we stand in the war together against the other countries anyway. There are some countries where it is not accepted, and I think we have to be extra careful in those countries, says national team colleague Morten Thoresen to news. SUPPORTS EXO: Morten Thoresen is currently featured on the TV 2 program Norway’s dumbest. Photo: Thomas Fure / NTB – Hopeless He doesn’t understand how other wrestlers can behave like this. – It’s just hopeless from people out there. Because then, sport is sport. It should not be mixed with anything else, and we are in 2024, and it should be allowed to love whoever you want. The situation has made it much more important for Mukubu which countries organize the major championships. In April there is the European Championship in Slovakia. – It’s not the worst, says Exo and brings up a worse example: – If it had been Russia, you would be sitting there thinking: “Should I go or not?” And it’s sad if you end up not going because you stand out a little. See all the goals from Norway – Kazakhstan – Pictures from TV 2 Direct 01:06 Responding to the “lookalike”: – Big compliment 01:06 Stepped on the opponent’s prize: – Not the point 00:36 Norwegian party night in Slovenia – pictures from TV 2 01: 58 Show more Published 21.11.2024, at 18.20 Updated 21.11.2024, at 18.55
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