It was the “defining moment” of her career, said USA fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, who on Monday (8 August) became the first athlete from her country to compete at the Olympic Games wearing a hijab. 

Her historic debut at Rio 2016 ended not long after it started with loss in the round of 16 in women’s individual sabre to France’s Cecilia Berder at Carioca 3 in the Olympic Park. Muhammad, ranked eighth in the world, lost 15-12 despite taking an early 4-1 lead.

Earlier in the day, Muhammad defeated Ukraine's Olena Kravatska 15-13 in the round of 32.

"This has been a beautiful experience for me. I know that this was written for me, the chips fell where they did and I feel proud to represent Team USA even in defeat," she said.

"A lot of people believe that Muslim women don't have voices or that we (don't) participate in sport. And it's not just to challenge the misconceptions outside the Muslim community, but also within the Muslim community. I want to break cultural norms and show girls that it's important to be active, it's important to be involved in sport."

Down and nearly out (Photo: Getty Images/Patrick Smith)

While individual competition has come to a close for Muhammad, she will compete with the no.4- ranked USA women's team in the sabre on 13 August.

Draped in 'Old Glory'

The stars and stripes glinted prominently on the metal mesh of Muhammad’s mask on Monday. The headgear, along with the breeches and jacket that cover fencers from head to toe, opened the sport to the 30-year-old Muslim woman, who picked up the discipline as a teenager in New York City.

“Once we have our uniform on you can't see behind the mask, so that's what I've always appreciated about the sport,” she said before the bout. "I wanted to participate in a sport where I could adhere to the tenets of my faith, but also people don't look at me for being a minority or being a woman, it's simply for your skill set.”

A voice in the darkness

Muhammad has embraced the spotlight that comes with being a pioneer. As an intelligent and articulate woman, she has proven herself courageous, poised and well equipped to discuss politics and take a stand, making the kind of statements that cause other athletes to freeze, lash out or even cower.

"I'm very vocal about these things, especially on social media, because I want people to know that I'm not an anomaly. I'm not special in any way. I'm a woman who wears hijab, and these are my experiences, and I want people to know that as hard as they've been on me, I don't think they come close to some of the things we've seen.”

Muhammad has tolerated the slings and arrows of racism and says the act of showing her face and competing for her country can influence positive change. 

"I'm hoping that just my presence on Team USA changes the misconceptions that people may have about the Muslim community," she said. "I feel that our conversation about the Muslim community has to change. It's a very slippery slope when you use hateful rhetoric, when you openly use bigoted comments towards a group of people, and you encourage violence, so I'm hoping that the rhetoric changes and changes fast.

"You have to use your moment to help people around you.”

At New York City's Fencers Club in July (Photo: Getty Images/Ezra Shaw)

'It is between us and God'

As one Muslim woman cheering for another, Amany Abdelfattah watched Muhammad from the stands at Carioca 3 and wondered why the hijab needed to be such a topic of interest and discussion.

“I suppose because it is the first for her country,” said the medical doctor, who wore a black-and-white veil which bore the famous pattern of the pavestones of Copacabana beach.

“We are accustomed to it” said the Egyptian who competes internationally at taekwondo. “Lots of athletes are wearing the hijab.”

Abdelfattah said she tracked down Muhammad at the opening ceremony for a picture, partly because she was moved by her meeting with US President Barack Obama.

"Anybody can do whatever they want, it does not matter whether you are Christian, Muslim or Jewish, you have to enjoy your life," said Abdelfattah, who said the hijab is a personal expression that represents private feelings of faith. "It is what we believe, it is between us and God, and this is what gives us comfort."

Wrapped in identity

Muhammad's best shot at a medal may come in the team final , but she insists it is all "icing on the cake."

"This is who I am — being American, being African-American, and being a Muslim, being a woman," she said. "These are all things that I can't change and I wouldn't change for anything.

"The way that I've grown up, every single obstacle that I've faced in my life, I feel like it's been a blessing to make me stronger. I'm just thankful that I get to not just do this for myself because it's been a lot of hard work but, in turn, hopefully do this for other people."