Fencer Muhammad becomes first US Olympian to compete in hijab

Ibtihaj Muhammad, a woman saber fencer from the United State National team, is set to make history as she is going to become the first American Olympian to compete wearing hijab, the Muslim headscarf, at this year's 2016 Rio Games.

The 30-year-old athlete qualified for the Olympics after she won the bronze medal at Women's Saber World Cup Qualifying event in Athens over the weekend.

While the United States team won't be formally announced until April 11, Muhammad has secured enough points in the qualifying process to ensure that she will be on the team.

Muhammad, who now stands in second place on the SU fencing national team, mathematically locked down her spot on the US Olympic team that will compete in this year's Summer Olympics, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 5 to August 21, 2016.

“I want to compete in the Olympics for the United States to prove that nothing should hinder anyone from reaching their goals — not race, religion or gender," said Muhammad after sealing her position for Rio Games.

“I want to set an example that anything is possible with perseverance," She added.

Muhammad, who failed to qualify for the 2012 Olympics due to a torn ligament, will compete in the Rio Olympics in both the individual and team events along with U.S. Olympic champion Mariel Zagunis.

Having been fencing since the age of 13, Muhammad, a New Jersey native, initially started the sport for its fully covered uniform, which she would not have to alter to fit Islamic dress requirements.

“I recognized that I had a skill set, so I started to pursue fencing full time. I felt that it was something the squad needed. There were barriers that needed to be broken in women's saber," Muhammad said.

Last July, Muhammad spoke with Al Jazeera's “The Stream," saying that part of her motivation for wanting to compete at the highest level of the sport comes from wanting people to hold Muslims, women and minorities in high esteem and wanting people to "not pigeon-hole us in these boxes and say 'this is what you're supposed to do.'"

Besides fencing, she also runs her own clothing line, 'Louella,' with her siblings.

Source: Yeni Safak English