Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad Becomes First U.S. Olympian To Compete With Hijab

Michael Phelps. Simone Biles. Katie Ledecky. Gabby Douglas. Kerri Walsh-Jennings.

And Ibtihaj Muhammad.

The 30-year-old fencer's name is featured right there with the elite U.S. Olympians in Rio. These names are synonymous with celebrity status, success and inspiration.

But Muhammad's Olympic profile goes beyond her athletic skill. She is the first U.S. Olympian to wear a hijab in competition.

After meeting with President Obama, the first lady, Stephen Colbert, Ellen DeGeneres and more, Muhammad cemented her status as a public figure and household name.

A three-time All-American at Duke and a five-time world championship medalist, Muhammad tasted her first Olympics on Monday. Taming the hype of her wearing the hijab, Muhammad stayed composed and won her first-round sabre match against Ukranian Olena Kravarska, 15-13.

Muhammad was eliminated in her second-round match against Cecilia Berder of France. But Muhammad will also compete in the team event, which takes place Saturday.

The right-handed sabre specialist is now an icon of perseverance and acceptance. Muhammad, a New Jersey native, has been outspoken against Donald Trump, telling CNN she believes Donald Trump's rhetoric is "very dangerous."

The lifelong American continued: “When these types of comments are made, no one thinks about how they really affect people. I'm African-American. I don't have another home to go to. My family was born here. I was born here. I've grown up in Jersey. All my family’s from Jersey. It's like, well, where do we go?"

Muhammad hopes her presence in Rio will help mend race relations in the United States, and change the global perception of Muslim women. She says she prays five times every day in Rio in accordance with her religious tradition, and she told Rolling Stone she is immensely proud to be black, female, and Muslim. Muhammad calls it an "honor" to act as a standard bearer to the world for each identity. She is a sports ambassador for the U.S. Department of State's Empowering Women and Girls Through Sport Initiative.

Fans back home will be cheering for Muhammad, as will her fellow teammates in Rio.

Phelps. Biles. Ledecky. Douglas. Walsh-Jennings. Muhammad.

She's one of them -- now and forever. And away from the venues, she's even more than that.

More Olympic Games:
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-- Ghostbusters, SNL Star Leslie Jones Tweets Her Way To Olympics
-- Lilly King Calls Out Russian: 'You've Been Caught For Drug Cheating'

Follow Jack Minton on Twitter @jackminton95.