This past Valentine’s Day, Tasneem Sarjoo, 22, found herself celebrating the romantic holiday in an unexpectedly physical way. She expertly tackled a man to the floor, pinning him on a vibrant pink wrestling mat. The receptionist from Long Island had a strong feeling that the match, and perhaps the connection, went exceptionally well.
“He’s definitely going to ask for my number,” Ms. Sarjoo confidently stated.
This unique encounter took place at a wrestling speed dating event—a surprisingly boisterous singles mixer held in a Brooklyn warehouse. Over 100 young adults, aged 18 to 24, gathered to flirt, put each other in playful headlocks, and potentially find love amidst a cheering crowd. The atmosphere was a chaotic blend of a reality dating show and a professional wrestling match.
Initially, some attendees were a bit unsure of the format. Participants were encouraged to mingle and get to know each another, then invite a crush of any gender into one of the three wrestling rings for a face-off. The matches were more about fun and physical interaction than serious competition, making size differences a non-issue.
Luiz Campos, top, and Tasneem Sarjoo tested their chemistry on the mat at a wrestling speed dating event on Saturday night. Credit: Mila De La Torre for The New York Times
Posters around the venue optimistically outlined the evening’s goals: “flirt w/ everyone,” “wrestle one,” and “leave in love.”
“I really underestimated her,” Rae Baer, 20, said of her wrestling partner. She plans to “bulk and hit the gym” before any more face-offs. Credit: Mila De La Torre for The New York Times
Ms. Sarjoo and her wrestling partner, Luiz Campos, had just met minutes before stepping onto the mat. Both were tired of endless, fizzling conversations on dating apps and were eager for a fresh approach to meeting people.
“After we started talking a little bit, I offered to help show her some moves, and we started to have some fun,” explained Mr. Campos, 22, a Manhattan resident who also practices jujitsu.
“I wouldn’t have gone for his legs unless he told me to,” Ms. Sarjoo added, highlighting the consensual and playful nature of their match.
This event is a prime example of a growing trend of unconventional themed singles mixers popping up across cities. As traditional online dating platforms see a decline in users and increase paywall barriers, young romantics are increasingly seeking out in-person gatherings. These range from running clubs and board game nights to creative PowerPoint presentations where friends pitch their most eligible pals.
The young people in attendance on Saturday were as eager to meet as they were to spar. Credit: Mila De La Torre for The New York Times
Contact cards and consent slips fluttered around like so much ticker tape. Credit: Mila De La Torre for The New York Times
The masterminds behind this unique event are Gael Aitor and Kayla Suarez, two rambunctious 22-year-olds from Bushwick, Brooklyn. During high school, their podcast offered a much-needed lifeline to teenagers during the pandemic. Now, they’re on a mission to encourage young people to disconnect from their phones and engage in real-life interactions.
“While having an online community is great, it’s crucial to realize that online interactions only go so far,” Ms. Suarez emphasized.
Last summer in Los Angeles, their weekly Gen Z gatherings included everything from massive games of freeze tag to a “fight your evil situationship boxing rave.” Freshly transplanted to New York, their next ambitious goal is to host a “douching sermon” in a house of worship to promote the importance of adequate fiber intake. Finding a suitable venue, however, remains an ongoing challenge. “We need to convince a church,” Mr. Aitor quipped.
Tickets for the wrestling event were $25 for competitors and $15 for spectators. The warehouse buzzed with attendees sporting chunky chain belts, ironic crop tops, quasi-mullets, and hiking sneakers. Neon consent waivers were readily available, and between rounds, volunteers diligently wiped down the mats as wrestlers rehydrated with water from their Nalgenes.
In the early hours of the evening, few seemed genuinely convinced they’d find their soulmates on the wrestling mat. Yet, the possibility lingered.
Demonstrating good form and openness to connection on one of the event’s three wrestling mats. The mixer was organized by Grownkid, a social club for 18- to 24-year-olds that was started by Gael Aitor and Kayla Suarez. Credit: Mila De La Torre for The New York Times
Isabelle Gartner, 19, a Brooklyn resident, showcased a wrestling move called a full nelson, which she’d just learned from a security guard she affectionately dubbed her “wrestling coach.” Recently dumped, she felt things were definitely looking up. “All the hot Bushwick baddies are coming,” she declared.
She was challenged by Eevee Mendez May, 18, a Fashion Institute of Technology student who had previously attempted to organize a meet-up for queer women. “The last 15 years have been defined by the internet, and people are sick of that,” Ms. May observed. “We want to see each other in person.”
Donning ear guards, they entered the ring. Despite Ms. May’s significant height advantage, Ms. Gartner proved agile, eventually flipping her opponent onto her back and securing the win. They both agreed that wrestling served as a surprisingly effective gauge for physical chemistry. “She has a great leg hook,” Ms. May remarked.
Francesco Cremonini, 23, a lanky acting student, initially thought the wrestling speed dating concept was a joke when he saw it advertised online. However, he discovered that the outlandish premise made it remarkably easy to approach strangers.
“Everyone knows there’s something kind of silly about this event,” he said. “It doesn’t feel as weird because we all signed up for this, right?”
He grappled with Lorenzo Mendiola, 23, who works in advertising. Their match ended in a draw, but they continued chatting long after they had left the mats, suggesting that sometimes, a good wrestling match can indeed lead to an unexpected connection.