Ibtihaj Muhammad
2014 world fencing championship team gold medalist.
EVENT: Sabre individual and sabre team.
AGE: 30.
HOMETOWN: Maplewood, NJ.
DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS OR SUPERSTITIONS? I always tap the side of the strip with my blade before I start. I don’t know why; it’s just something that I do.
DO YOU HAVE A RECURRING DREAM? I like to use visualization. I feel like that helps me perform better. If I see myself scoring a point, or if I see myself winning, that helps to get me in the right mind—set to do well that day.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES? I’m really into DIY stuff. I retiled my kitchen and fireplace. I’ve always been into home renovation. I don’t cook, but I do watch HGTV and Food Network all the time.
CHOSEN SUPERPOWER: I would be able to transport myself. Eliminate the flights.
PETE PEEVE: The sound of chewing, other people chewing. I don’t like that.
DREAM DINNER-PARTY GUEST: Maybe Malala.
SUMMER JAM: I like Drake’s “One Dance.”
GREATEST FEAR: I work really hard at the goals that I set for myself because I fear failure. I feel like the harder I work, the more attainable my goals seem.
GREATEST AMBITION: To positively change the world.
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