The women's saber fencer first made history years ago when she became the first Muslim woman[1] to compete for the U.S.in fencing.
"Never let another person's misconceptions about your race, gender or religion hinder you from reaching your goals", she said while in the middle of pursuing her Olympic qualification in December.
Ibtihaj Muhammad, a 30-year-old who now stands in second place on the US fencing national team, mathematically locked down her spot on the Olympic team after earning a bronze medal at the Athens World Cup on Saturday[2]. The U.S. women also qualified for the team saber event in Rio.
She first took up the sport at 13 when she and her mother noticed the fencing team at school. But fencing for her wasn't so much of a calling as it was a coincidence. "I want to set an example that anything is possible with perseverance".
After competing for Duke, Muhammad turned professional and has since amassed a slew of titles, both as part of the USA team and individually.
"Historically, it's always been a white sport reserved for people with money", said Muhammad, who has four siblings. "I felt excited to medal (at the World Cup in Athens), but I honestly didn't think much about the Olympics". Muhammad said her family will not talk much about Rio until then. "Fortunately, I am not most people[3]", she explains in her USA Fencing bio.
"I'd love for other minority women and religious minorities [in the U.S.] to believe they can excel in something outside the norm-not just sports, anything where they're breaking the barrier", Muhammed told the Journal, "and not be deterred by what the image is just because they fall outside that box".
When she isn't busy racking up medals, Muhammad occupies herself running Louella[4], an online clothing boutique she founded that sells "modest, fashion forward" apparel.
References
- ^ first Muslim woman (www.teamusa.org)
- ^ Saturday (www.usfencing.org)
- ^ Fortunately, I am not most people (www.usfencing.org)
- ^ Louella (www.louellashop.com)
