RIO DE JANEIRO — Drawn to fencing as a teenager because the athletes compete while fully covered, Ibtihaj Muhammad on Monday became the first United States Olympian in any sport to compete at a Games while wearing a hijab.
Muhammad, a first-time Olympian at age 30, came from behind to edge a Ukranian fencer, Olena Kravatska, 15-13, in the round of 32 of the women’s saber competition, but she lost later Monday, to Cécilia Berder of France, 15-12, in the round of 16.
Saber is the quickest and most aggressive of the fencing disciplines. Fencers score quickly, slashing for points, without a lot of the fancy parrying of foil fencing.