As the Olympic Games get under way in Paris, teenagers all over the world will be dreaming of one day representing their country on the medal podium. But for one 13-year-old girl in Oldham, Greater Manchester, that dream could become reality.
Ikrah Hussain is a two-time British national champion in Taekwondo, a martial art she took up aged 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 stereotypes about Muslim girls in sports.
“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-defence as she was being picked on by a group of girls.
Ashraf said her daughter had been “meek and mild” and would come home “with lumps on her head and arms”. She added: “When Ikrah first started there weren’t many girls in Taekwondo but now it is growing in popularity.”
Hussain, who weighs under seven stone, holds a second Dan black belt in the sport and regularly takes on boys and girls much bigger and stronger than her.
She has fought in more than 40 tournaments and won silver representing Britain in a prestigious world Taekwondo competition in Bulgaria in April.
Hussain is training to compete in the most important event in the Taekwondo calendar: the British National Championships in October.
While many other 13-year-olds are scrolling TikTok and meeting up with friends, Hussain has a “strict” daily routine, making sure she prays five times a day while juggling training and her schoolwork. She relaxes by playing chess and watching history documentaries.
“You need discipline,” Hussain said. “I have a strict daily routine including getting up at six and attending school, training and Qur’an lessons. I relax by reading and watching documentaries about the civil rights movement in the US. I love to watch movies, riding my bike and spending time with my friends.”
She added: “Taekwondo is a difficult sport, but when you want to do something big you have to make the effort to achieve it. Fighting is easier for me now as I have gained the skills and experience, so I actually enjoy it.”
Hussain’s success reflects a sharp rise in the popularity of full-contact sports among Britain’s Muslim community in recent years.
The emergence of Muslim role models like former world boxing champion, Amir Khan, and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) winner, Khabib Nurmagomedov, have broken down barriers for those wishing to take up combat sports.
Youngsters are also notably more health conscious than their parents’ and grandparents’ generation, with more emphasis on keeping fit. This is reinforced by the volume of social media content promoting mixed martial arts, which is among the most popular categories in the world on different platforms.
Hussain’s coach of six years, Urooj Karim, said her greatest talent is her “determination”: “She isn’t scared of being bruised and battered. She throws herself into the deep end time and time again which is why she is destined for greatness.”
Referring to his star student as his “Taekwondo daughter,” Karim said Hussain is one of the best in her weight category in the UK. She may only be 44kg (6.9 stone) but opponents should not underestimate her on the mat.
“She still fights against older boys who weigh up to 59kg,” Karim said. “Other girls who are older than her and weigh more than her, genuinely get hurt when they spar with her”.
In nearby Bolton, boxing clubs have seen a huge increase in members since Amir Khan, now 37, burst on to the scene 20 years ago at the Athens Olympics before becoming the unified world junior welterweight champion.
In the town’s Premier Boxing Club, coach Rasib Muhammad said he had young British Muslims “joining all the time” thanks to Khan’s success. His gym was the training ground for national amateur champion, Fabio Muhammad, and Samir Aftab, who turned professional in 2022.
Shah Kamali, from London, is the first professional British-Bangladeshi heavy weight MMA fighter who has won six amateur fights and two professional fights to date. The 25-year-old also has a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
“People say I am an inspiration to many young people as a lot of them have seen my fights. Within my local community people know me and recognise me wherever I go,” said Kamali. “In the future I see myself in a big organisation, but joining the UFC is my goal.”