Australian Boxer Tina Rahimi Fights Bias, Makes History

When Tina Rahimi walked into the boxing ring at the Paris 2024 Olympics, she wasn't nervous about getting punched. She was worried about the comments her hijab would trigger.

"People always have something to say about the way I dress," the Australian boxer tells ABC Sport. Random strangers on social media asked why there's a "towel on her head" or told her she doesn't belong. Years of Islamophobic abuse had made ring walks more stressful than the actual fights.

But something changed by the time she stepped into that Olympic arena. Rahimi made history as Australia's first female Muslim boxer at the Games, competing in full-coverage uniform and hijab while the host nation had banned its own athletes from wearing one. This time, she felt nothing but confidence.

The shift came from blocking out the noise and focusing on what mattered: her performance, her faith, and her country. She prayed five times daily, starting before dawn and ending before sleep, building the discipline that made her a world-class athlete.

Her voice grew louder too. When France banned the hijab for its athletes, Rahimi spoke out on social media: "Women have the right to choose how they want to dress. You shouldn't have to choose between your beliefs or your sport."

The attention was overwhelming. Microphones followed her around the athletes' village. She gave podcast interviews and media profiles. People debated her clothing instead of her punches. Still, she kept fighting.

Why This Inspires

Rahimi's story matters beyond boxing. Australia's Human Rights Commission documented a massive surge in Islamophobia, with 366 cases of online abuse recorded between January 2023 and November 2024. Muslim community leaders have raised alarms about rising hatred targeting visible Muslims.

Yet Rahimi refuses to let the bigotry define her. "I feel more Australian than anyone could," she says. When people tell her she's not "Australian enough" despite representing the country at Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and World Championships, she pushes back: "What does a typical Australian look like? We've got to accept that we're not all going to look the same."

Her religion isn't separate from her success. It's the foundation. The daily prayers taught her the discipline that boxing demands. Roommates at competitions wake up amazed to see her praying before dawn, understanding where her mental toughness comes from.

After breaking her hand and spending months in recovery, Rahimi waited for the right moment to turn professional. She didn't want just any fight. She wanted something big, something televised, something that would inspire the next generation of Muslim girls who think they have to choose between faith and dreams.

On July 25, she'll make her professional debut against fellow Australian Sacha Dryden on the same card as Tim Tszyu's blockbuster fight. It will be her first bout without headgear, and her confidence has never been higher. The girl who once feared the walk to the ring now owns it completely.

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