USA Fencing

Being a trailblazer isn’t something you set out to do at 13, but that is when Ibtihaj Muhammad’s fencing journey began.

As an African-American Muslim woman fencer, Muhammad’s athletic career has been full of firsts, among them is being the first Muslim woman to represent the United States in international fencing competition. But she hopes to eclipse her past achievements by earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games. Without scoring a point, Muhammad would make history as the first U.S. Olympian to compete in a hijab, a headscarf worn by Muslim women.

Before Olympic history can be made, however, Muhammad must continue to prove herself on the international stage. She finished 11th in senior women’s saber at the Korfanty World Cup, held last weekend in Chicago. Though she didn’t podium individually, Muhammad was successful in helping lead the United States to a team gold medal... more>