USA's first hijab-wearing Olympian wins bronze in team sabre event

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:14 p.m. ET

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Allyssa Lee

American fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad already made history as the first U.S. Olympian to wear a hijab during competition.

And now she's made history again as the first hijab-wearing U.S. athlete to medal at the Olympics, winning a bronze medal along with Monica Aksamit, Mariel Zagunis and Dagmara Wozniak in the Rio Summer Games' women's team sabre event on Saturday.

"This is sport. It doesn't matter what hair color you have, or what religion you are. The point is to go out there and be the best athlete you can be," said Wozniak via the Associated Press. "We're the best explanation of what American is. A mix of so many different cultures and races, and everything all together."

The Americans routed Team Italy 45-30 to win the USA's first women's fencing medal in Rio — and the third team medal ever in the sport.

Russia won gold with a decisive win over the Ukraine.

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