During the Opening Ceremony for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, I saw a young woman marching near our American flag with a hijab on. I wanted to know more about her and her story. It turns out that Ibtihaj Muhammad is the first U.S. athlete to compete with a hijab.
Trailblazing Female Athletes wearing Hijab
In the 2012 Olympics, I was so excited that a woman competing with Saudi Arabia’s Olympic team attended by alma mater and she too was wearing a Hijab. Another woman running track for Afghanistan, Tahmina Kohstani also proudly wore her hijab and long clothing as she gave her all during her qualifying heat in the 100 meters
Tahmina Kohstani running the 100 Meters at the 2012 Olympic Games
I am not here for a political or religious debate but I am so proud of these women for defying cultural, religious, and sexist rules about what women should be in their countries. Those women who decided to defy their government had to put up with many obstacles. They may not have won a medal but many of us in the audience consider them winners for deciding to pursue their passions in front of the world.
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Ibtihaj Muhammad is 30 years old and competes in Fencing. She was born in the United States and from New Jersey. According to an Article on CNN. com, Muhammad was ranked as high as No. 7 in the world during the 2015-2016 season. She has won individual and team medals on the World Cup circuit, including team bronze at the Senior World Championships in 2015 and team gold in 2014. She also was a three-time NCAA All-American when she competed at Duke.
Encouraged to play Sports
Unlike the discouragement many Muslim face worldwide when wanting to step out and play sports, Muhammad was encouraged by her parents to play sports when she was growing up. This was proven to be challenging due to all of the wardrobe requirements of her religion. When she was 13 years old, her mother discovered fencing and the rest is history!
Overcoming Injury
Like any athlete Muhammad has had her obstacles with overcoming injury. A torn ligament in her hand caused her not to make the cut for the 2012 Olympics in London but she did not give up her dream of being an Olympian!
Inspiration and Impact
I think the more these women step out and defy the limits and labels that people want to place on them, the more girls around the world realize that they can be more. I have read articles that said in some countries women are discouraged from exercising because men don’t feel it’s appropriate but they are doing it anyway!
ROCK ON LADIES!!! I hope to see more women deciding to compete in athletics and push themselves harder to be the best they can be.
Rio Results
Ibthihaj Muhammad was eliminated in the individual round but still has a chance in the Team Finals!
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