Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad makes history at Rio Olympics

Maplewood’s Ibtihaj Muhammad of the United States Olympic Fencing Team made a good run in the women’s individual sabre competition on Monday, August 8, at the Rio Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

Muhammad, a Muslim-American, became the first member of the U.S. Olympic Team to wear a hijab at the Olympics. She won her first match of the competition with a 15-13 victory over Olena Kravatska, of Ukraine, in the round of 32.

But Muhammad’s quest for an individual medal ended when she lost a heartbreaking 15-12 decision to Cecilia Berder, of France, in the round of 16.

Muhammad, a 30-year-old Columbia High School graduate, will compete for Team USA in the team sabre competition at the Rio Olympics on Saturday, August 13.

Berder lost to Russia’s Sofya Velikaya, 15-10, in the quarterfinals later on Monday. Velikaya then earned the silver medal after losing to countrywoman Yana Egorian, 15-14, in the final, also on Monday.