MAPLEWOOD[1] — Ibtihaj Muhammad[2] has already made history. And as of Saturday, she's poised to do so again, and on a global stage.
Muhammad, 30, a saber fencer with the U.S. Olympic team, earned a bronze medal at a world cup competition in Greece Saturday, a victory that qualifies her to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The Maplewood native[3] and Duke University graduate is also an observant Muslim who wears the hijab, the traditional head covering worn by millions of Muslim women. She will be the first Olympic athlete representing the United States to wear the garment while competing, years after she set another milestone as the first Muslim woman to compete for the U.S. in fencing.
RELATED: N.J. fencer may compete in London Olympics[4]
"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," Muhammad said in her USA Fencing bio. "I want to set an example that anything is possible with perseverance."
Muhammad, the daughter of a retired Newark police officer, was in contention to make the 2012 London Olympics before being sidelined by a hand injury, but since then has repeatedly medalled individually and in team competition. She is now ranked second in USA Fencing's team point standings, behind Mariel Zagunis, according to the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com[5]. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.[6][7]
References
- ^ MAPLEWOOD (www.nj.com)
- ^ Ibtihaj Muhammad (blog.nj.com)
- ^ The Maplewood native (www.nj.com)
- ^ RELATED: N.J. fencer may compete in London Olympics (blog.nj.com)
- ^ pmilo@njadvancemedia.com (www.nj.com)
- ^ @PaulMilo2 (twitter.com)
- ^ NJ.com (www.nj.com)
