Sporting Witness
Sporting Witness
The first hijabi figure skater
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September 23, 2023
10 minutes
Available for over a year
In 2012, Zahra Lari from the UAE, made history by becoming the first figure skater to compete in a hijab. When she was 17 she took part in her first international competition, and although her routine went well, the judges deducted points for her headscarf.
After the competition, she met with the International Skating Union and convinced them that the rules should allow the hijab to be worn, with no further deductions being made.
(Photo: Zahra Lari of UAE competes during FBMA Trophy for Figure Skating 2017 at Zayed Sports City on 5 January, 2017 in Abu Dhabi. Credit: Getty Images)