The author didn’t need to extrapolate. In fact, what the boy did was exactly the right thing when confronted with this situation.
He did not cooperate with the effort at political correctness, and then, even more important, he did not give any statement as to why, that could later be used to attack him, demean him, and demand further political correctness.
By refusing to play along, he defeats the entire purpose of the exercise. So the girl wins—nothing. Great trophy there, girl. Where’d you buy it? Did somebody buy it for you? Like in the Special Olympics, everybody wins!
There is no victory there. No achievement. No real reward. Not even a competition. The socialist conclusion—mediocrity, gray and empty. The equality of bland and nutrition-less.
Some parents in California demand that their children play competitive sports, but without competing. But the kids don’t play along with their parents. They secretly keep scores, meet later and agree who won and who lost, and by how much. They want their victories and defeats, even if their parents have “issues” with competition, winning and losing, because they are neurotic.
Ironically, there can be a competitive consolation prize for her, if she chooses to do so. While this form of wrestling is effectively closed to female-male competition, it is not the only sport of this kind.
Judo, for example, has long had mixed male-female competition. It has everything western style wrestling has, and more. In it she could accomplish real victory and defeat, with no doubts as to her prowess or ability. It would be hers to win or lose.
She will get nothing—nothing, because she is a female. And she will not be at any great disadvantage because of her strength, either, because strength is not the most important asset in judo.
Sparring - yes.
Competition - no.
YMMV on that.