Australia’s first ever Muslim female boxer will compete at the 22nd Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July, battling it out in the 57kg division of the women’s boxing competition.
Tina Rahimi, who hails from the western suburb of Bass Hill in Sydney, only had her first fight four years ago.
On Tuesday, she, along with seven other Commonwealth Games debutants in the boxing team, were officially selected to compete at the Games, which begins July 28 in the UK’s West Midlands’ major city of Birmingham.
The 26-year old former make-up artist told The Daily Telegraph she is proud to be the first Muslim female to represent the country in the event, adding that she has the “…potential and capability to get the gold, so I have really dedicated myself to the sport.”
She added that the achievement shows that anything is possible when you put your mind can do it. “Just because you dress or look a different way, come from a different religion, that doesn’t mean it should stop you from achieving your dream.”
Rahimi initially started boxing for fitness reasons, before discovering a deep passion for it. She discovered she was quite good at it and was motivated by attending a fight night. She started training and had her first fight in 2018.
In her competitions so far, she has maintained a strong 15-2 win-loss record, and hopes to sustain her momentum, along with the three other women, and seven men in the Australian boxing team.
Rahimi’s fellow female boxers include Kristy Harris (50kg), Caitlin Parker (75kg) and Kaye Scott (69kg).
Sydney-based boxer Kaye Scott, 37, has also made history by becoming the second Australian boxer ever to compete at three Commonwealth Games.
The Games will run from July 28 to August 8 in Birmingham, with Australia sending 425 athletes to compete.
Image: Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images