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Teenage taekwondo star aims to take down Muslim stereotypes

The Guardian

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July 29, 2024

As the Olympic Games get underway in Paris, teenagers all over the world will be dreaming of representing their country on the medal podium. But for one 13-year-old girl in Oldham, that dream could become reality.

- Muhammad Khan

Teenage taekwondo star aims to take down Muslim stereotypes

Ikrah Hussain is a two-time British national champion in taekwondo, a martial art she took up at the age of seven after being bullied at school.

Having made her international debut competing for Britain in March, the teenager has her sights set on an Olympic medal at a future Games and on breaking down preconceptions.

"There are lots of stereotypes about Muslim females in sport, but I would say I am a great role model," she said on a rare break from training. "I want to go against these stereotypes as I am one of few Muslim sports role models from Oldham."

Hussain's mother, Naseem Ashraf, a former professional footballer and PE teacher, sent her daughter to taekwondo lessons six years ago to learn self-defense as she was being picked on by a group of girls.

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