00:05When I put on my mask, it's not about my religion or my race or my gender. It's
00:10about my fencing ability. I started fencing because I wanted to get a
00:15scholarship to go to a good university. When I graduated, I found a new purpose,
00:21to bring diversity to the sport. This summer, I became the first American to
00:27compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab.
00:36My success as a fencer is built on short-term goals I set for myself. If I
00:43had been focused on making the Olympic team when I started at age 13, I doubt I
00:48would have done it. My journey is full of notches on the belt that bring me closer
00:52to what I want. I do this for the Muslim community. It's time to change the
00:58perceived image of Muslim women from docile and meek to fearless and bold.
01:04That's the narrative I'm bringing to the table.
