Boxing Champ Launches Sports Hijab

A boxing champion from the East End has created a sports hijab to help more Muslim women get into combat sports.

Ruqsana Begum (below) – who is the current British female Atomweight Muay Thai boxing champion – runs personal training sessions and women-only sessions in the sport at the Osmani Centre in Whitechapel.

She said: “I came up with the idea during the Olympics. I was interested in the story of an American athlete who was told she couldn’t compete wearing her hijab due to health and safety reasons, so her father created one that was approved for her to fight in.

“I thought if they can create one for the elite athletes, why not for regular women who want to get into combat sports.”

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Ruqsana has already had a lot of interest in the project from friends and colleagues, and is now perfecting the fit before she puts it to market.

She said: “The problem with the hijab is often the way they’re tangled could be dangerous if worn during combat sport and they are often fastened with safety pins. My product is made using breathable materials and a four-way stretch, which fully covers the hair down the neck to the shoulders.

“Combat sports are such a great way to get fit so I’m hoping (the product) will open them up to more women. Also, I think it will be a good way to bring down barriers and dispel a lot of myths surrounding Muslim women and bring communities together.”

She hopes to have a finalised product within two months, which she will be selling for around £25.

The 31-year-old will be fighting in the World Title Fight at Earl’s Court on March 14 – which she says she would love people to come to and support her.

Go to ruqsana-begum.com for more information, or to sponsor her for her fight in March.