Ibtihaj Muhammad Becomes First American Athlete To Compete In A Hijab At The Olympics

Ibtihaj Muhammad just became the first American athlete to wear a hijab while competing at the Olympics.

While dressed in the traditional headscarf worn by Muslim women, the 30-year-old sabre fencer won her opening round against an athlete from Ukraine Monday. (RELATED: Muslim Beach Volleyball Players Refuse To Show Skin — Even For The Olympics)

 Muhammad, 30, was born in New Jersey.

“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 bio. “I want to set an example that anything is possible with perseverance.”

“I feel like this is a great moment for Team USA to be even more diverse than we have in the past and I’m just looking forward to representing myself, my community and my country.” (RELATED: FINALLY! America Gets Its First Olympic Athlete Who Will Compete In Her Hijab)

Muhammad once gave fencing lessons to Michelle Obama.

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