Ibtihaj Muhammad Didnt Win A Medal, But She Still Scored An Olympic Victory

Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first U.S. athlete to compete at the Olympics in a hijab, fell short of winning a medal in Rio de Janeiro.

Despite making history by winning the first round during the Womens Individual Sabre on Monday, Muhammad was defeated by Cecilia Berder of France in the second round.

Muhammad was one of the most recognizable athletes entering the Rio Olympics. Earlier this year, Time magazine named her on their list of The 100 Most Influential People.

The New Jersey native said while growing up, she felt awkward playing other sports, such as track and volleyball, with her head, arms and legs covered.

I would get stares, Muhammad told the Los Angeles Times . My skin color, my religion, made other people uncomfortable.

Fencing found me, said the 30-year-old Olympian, who took up the sport when she was 13.

I wanted a sport where I could be fully covered and I didnt have to look different.

HISTORY MADE: @IbtihajMuhammad, the 1st US Olympian to compete in a hijab, won her 1st bout https://t.co/1HpqgTno6t
https://t.co/uUSoECJXAY

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HISTORY MADE: @IbtihajMuhammad , the 1st US Olympian to compete in a hijab, won her 1st bout https://t.co/1HpqgTno6t
https://t.co/uUSoECJXAY
NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2016

A member of the U.S. National Fencing Team for the past six years, she did not make the Olympic team for London 2012.

While she was competing for a spot on this years Olympic team, several terrorist attacks occurred around the world and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump regularly made headlines on his proposed policy for a complete shutdown of Muslims entering the country.

Its a tough political environment were in right now. Muslims are under the microscope, Muhammad said during the U.S. Olympic Committee summit in Los Angeles .

She said she was concerned whether she would be allowed to board her flight to make it to her Olympic qualifier.

Despite anti-Muslim rhetoric and Muhammads concerns, she is proud to identify as Muslim, black and female, she told Rolling Stone .

Its all really a big dream I dont think its hit me yet. The honor of representing Muslim and black women is one I dont take lightly, she said.

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