Muhammad makes US history
RIO DE JANEIRO—American Ibtihaj Muhammad looked like all the other fencers when she stepped on the piste, save for the non-descript black scarf covering her head.
With that small gesture, Muhammad made history.
Muhammad became the first American athlete Monday to compete in the Olympics with a hijab, which she wears to adhere to the tenets of her Muslim faith.
Muhammad, ranked eighth in the world in sabre, beat Ukranian Olena Kravatska 15-13 in her first match before falling to France's Cecilia Berder 15-12 in the round of 16.
Muhammad will compete again on Saturday in the team sabre event.
"I feel like it's a blessing to be able to represent so many people who don't have voices, who don't speak up," Muhammad said. "It's just been a really remarkable experience."
The gold medal in the weapon went to Russia's Yana Egorian, who scored the final two points to stun teammate Sofya Velikaya 15-14.
Muhammad, a New Jersey native and three-time NCAA All-American from Duke, became an instant star when she qualified for her first Olympics earlier this year. And she embraced the spotlight, which helped make her an unlikely face of the U.S. team given how little publicity fencing typically receives.
"It represents who she's been her entire life. Ever since she was a little girl, she never let anything hold her back. She never set limits. She's always striving to be the very best," said Ibtihaj's brother Qareeb, who was overcome with emotion when he saw his sister compete. (AP)