By Victor Ochieng
In the upcoming 2016 Olympics, history is set to be made by fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad. After qualifying for this year’s Olympics, she’s set to become the first ever U.S. athlete to participate in the competitions, while wearing a traditional Muslim attire - hijab.
Muhammad won herself a place in the 2016 Olympics after scooping a bronze medal in the Women’s Sabre World Cup, making her an automatic representative of the U.S. in the Olympics.
“When most people picture an Olympic fencer, they probably do not imagine a person like me. Fortunately, I am not most people,” she explains in her USA Fencing bio. “I have always believed that with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, I could one day walk with my U.S. teammates into Olympic history.”
She’s determined to deliver her best in the competition, saying she would like to serve as an example that nothing should hinder anyone from following their dreams.
“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. I want to set an example that anything is possible with perseverance.”
Being a fencer isn’t something many kids go for, but Muhammad is reported to have been carrying a saber since she was 13 years old, while still going through her high school studies in New Jersey. She continued with that same interest at Duke University.
“After I graduated from college, I saw there was a lack of minorities in the sport,” Muhammad told TeamUSA.org. “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.”
There is no doubt that she has attracted national attention after her impressive performance in Athens, Greece. The role she’s playing is quite pivotal that even President Obama recently gave her a mention while delivering a speech during his visit to a mosque in Baltimore.
The president specifically asked Muhammad to rise to her feet for applause from those in attendance and told her: “Bring home the gold… No pressure.”
The country is behind her and all other athletes representing the U.S. in the competitions.
Muhammad should know that the country is behind her.
http://bossip.com/1278090/blackgirlmagic-fencer-ibtihaj-muhammad-will-be-the-first-u-s-olympian-to-compete-wearing-a-hijab-43081/
