PHOTOS: Breaking Barriors at Rio Olympics - Ibtihaj Muhammad creates history, wears hijab at mega event

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: In what could be termed as an unprecedented event, Ibtihaj Muhammad, an African American saber fencer created history by competing at the Rio Olympics 2016 wearing a hijab.

With this, the five-time Senior World team medalist became the first U.S athlete to wear hijab (headscarf worn by Muslim women) at a mega event.

Several years ago, Ibtihaj rose to fame by becoming the first muslim woman to compete for the U.S in fencing.

The 30-year-old believes that it was a great moment for Team USA as they have become more diverse than they have been in the past.

Ibtihaj beat Ukranian Olena Kravatska 15-13 in the first match but unfortunately lost to France's Cecilia Berder in the round of 16.

Ibtihaj, ranked eighth in the world, also believes that nothing should hinder anyone from achieving their goals and she wants to set an example that anything is possible with perseverance.