Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad gets ready for Rio Olympics

MAPLEWOOD – Columbia High School alumnus Ibtihaj Muhammad is getting ready to compete in fencing for Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Muhammad, 30, competes in sabre. The individual sabre competition will take place Aug. 8. The team sabre competition will be held Aug. 13. The Olympics run Aug. 5-21.

Muhammad is the first Muslim American to observe hijab for the U.S. Olympic Team.

After a standout career at CHS, Muhammad attended Duke University where she became a three-time All-American.

She also has competed for Team USA at the Senior World Championships and Pan American Games in which she won gold and bronze medals.