Ibtihaj Muhammad Earns Historic Bronze With U.S. Women's Fencing Team

Ibtihaj Muhammad is heading home with a bronze medal. The American fencer and her cohorts topped Italy 45-30 for third place on Saturday in the team sabre event. Muhammad has gained notoriety for being the first American athlete to wear a hijab during Olympic competition.

Team USA’s win was fairly dominant after a disappointing showing in the individual competition. Two-time Olympic champion Mariel Zagunis finished ninth earlier in the week, while Muhammad was 12th and fellow teammate Dagmara Wozniak was 24th.

The team earned the first women’s medal in fencing for the Americans at the 2016 Olympics. The last time the women won a team medal was at the 2008 games in Beijing.

Muhammad is widely respected by her United States teammates, and she received the second-most votes to be the country’s flag-bearer. Michael Phelps was first and took the honor.

It was an historic day for Muhammad and Team USA and now the 30-year-old will return to her home in New Jersey with an Olympic medal.