Ibtihaj Muhammad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ibtihaj Muhammad |
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| Born | December 4, 1985 Maplewood, New Jersey, US |
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| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 68 kg (150 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country |  United States |
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| Sport | Fencing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weapon | Sabre | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hand | Right | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years on national team | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National coach | Ed Korfanty | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Peter Westbrook Foundation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIE ranking | Current ranking | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Ibtihaj Muhammad, born on December 4, 1985, is an amazing American fencer. She is also a successful author and business owner. Ibtihaj made history at the 2016 Summer Olympics. She was the first American woman to compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab. She also became the first American Muslim woman to win an Olympic medal. Ibtihaj was also the first Black woman to win an Olympic medal in the sabre fencing event. She earned a bronze medal in the women's sabre team event.
Ibtihaj has won five World Championship medals between 2011 and 2015. In 2014, she won a gold medal with the United States women's sabre team. She was named one of Time 100's Most Influential People in the World in 2016. Ibtihaj is also a sports ambassador for the United States Department of State. She is a New York Times Bestselling author.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ibtihaj Muhammad was born on December 4, 1985, in New Jersey. She grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey. She has two older siblings, Brandilyn and Qareeb, and two younger siblings, Asiya and Faizah. Her parents are of African American descent. Ibtihaj started fencing when she was 13 years old at Columbia High School (New Jersey).
After finishing high school in 2003, Ibtihaj went to Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. She was a top fencer there, earning "All-American" honors three times. She graduated in 2007 with two majors: International Relations and African & African-American Studies.
Fencing Career Highlights
Ibtihaj joined the Peter Westbrook Foundation in New York City in 2002. This foundation helps young people learn fencing.
In 2010, Ibtihaj qualified for her first United States National Fencing Team. She was the first woman of color to join the women's sabre team. She was a member of the U.S. National Team from 2010 to 2017. During her career, she won two National Championships (in 2009 and 2017). She also earned 19 World Cup medals. Her highest world ranking was No. 7.
Ibtihaj won five Senior World Championship medals. These were in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015. At the 2014 World Fencing Championships, she won a gold medal with the United States sabre team.
Making History at the 2016 Olympics
Ibtihaj Muhammad competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. She made history in several ways:
- She was the first American woman to compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab.
- She was the first American Muslim woman to win an Olympic medal.
- She was the first Black woman to win an Olympic medal in the sabre fencing event.
Her team won the bronze medal in the women's sabre team event. They beat Italy with a score of 45–30 in the bronze medal match. Ibtihaj became a symbol of strength and acceptance.
Other Activities and Achievements
Ibtihaj Muhammad is not just a fencer. She is also a successful entrepreneur and author.
Fashion and Advocacy
In 2014, Ibtihaj and her siblings started a clothing company called Louella by Ibtihaj. Their goal was to offer stylish, modest clothing in the United States.
Ibtihaj is also a sports ambassador. She works with the U.S. Department of State on their "Empowering Women and Girls Through Sport Initiative." She travels to different countries to talk about how important sports and education are. In 2019, she became a Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics.
In 2017, the toy company Mattel honored Ibtihaj. They created a Barbie doll in her likeness. This Barbie was special because it was the first one to wear a hijab and be a fencer. Mattel called her a "Shero," meaning a woman who inspires others by breaking barriers.
Books by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Ibtihaj Muhammad has written several books. Her first book was a memoir for adults, released in 2018. She has also written a series of popular children's books.
- Proud: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream (2018) is her memoir.
- The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab & Family (2019) was an instant New York Times Best-seller.
- The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship (2023)
- The Boldest White: A Story of Hijab and Community (2024)
Her children's books have been recognized for awards. The Proudest Blue was a finalist for the Forest of Reading's Blue Spruce Award in 2021. The Kindest Red was also a finalist for the same award in 2024.
See also
In Spanish: Ibtihaj Muhammad para niños
- Muslim women in sport
