TEHRAN (IQNA) – The women of the US saber squad had not been pleased by their performances in the individual competition at these 2016 Summer Games, but they broke through Saturday with Ibtihaj Muhammad becoming the first American in a hijab to step on the Olympic podium.
After the US fell short of the medal rounds earlier in the
week, veteran Mariel Zagunis predicted that, for the team event, "I think
we’re all going to be really fired up.”
Zagunis was right as the US defeated Italy,
45-30, to win bronze.
Russia won gold and Ukraine took silver.
The podium finish put a happy ending to one of
the biggest stories in Rio de Janeiro —Muhammad becoming the first US Olympian competing in the headscarf worn by Muslim women.
Muhammad had become the focus of media reports
in recent months, speaking out, determined to break through the stereotypes
surrounding women in her religion.
"We are just so blessed and thankful that we
made it,” she said on Saturday. "I’ll never forget this moment ever.”
"I’m just really happy that we ended today on
a win with a really great performance,” said Zagunis."I’m glad we’re not
going home empty-handed.”
Dagmara Wozniak and Monica Aksamit rounded out
the US team.
Source: LATimes
