Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad gears up for Summer Olympics in Rio

MAPLEWOOD – Former Columbia High School fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad is gearing up for the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

Muhammad, who competes in saber, is recognized as the first Muslim woman who observes hijab to qualify for the United States Olympic Team.

Muhammad, 30, was a three-time NCAA All-American for Duke University from 2004 to 2006, and was the Muslim Sportswoman of the Year in 2012.

A former CHS fencing coach, Muhammad was a member of the Senior World Championship Team that won bronze in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015 and gold in 2014. She also was on the Pan American team that won gold in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015 and bronze in 2014. She also won an individual bronze in the 2014 Pan American Games.

The Summer Olympics will be held August 5-21.

  Ibtihaj Muhammad