![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() As she put it, “I liked the idea of being solely responsible for the outcome of a match or a game.” Lastly, Muhammad found the idea of an individual sport very appealing. She also saw fencing as a pathway to academic opportunity, hoping to compete at the collegiate level. The uniform offered not only full-body coverage but also allowed her to compete inconspicuously in her hijab (the traditional covering for the hair and neck worn by Muslim women). Muhammad chose fencing for multiple reasons. She got involved with the Peter Westbrook Foundation, a program established by fencing champion Westbrook to bring the sport to underserved communities in the New York area. Athletics were a challenge, however, as most uniforms did not conform with her Muslim faith, which called for covering her arms, legs, and head. Growing up in Maplewood, New Jersey, Muhammad participated in several sports, such as swimming, volleyball, tennis, and softball. An entrepreneur and advocate for Muslim and African American women in sports, Muhammad inspires others to defy the limits society places on them.īorn on Decemto parents Eugene Muhammad and Denise Garner, Ibtihaj Muhammad is one of six children. A world-class fencer, Ibtihaj Muhammad made history as the first American to wear a hijab in Olympic competition at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro. ![]()
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