(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - On Friday, she will become the first woman to compete in the national weightlifting championships while wearing clothing that covers her legs, arms and head, in keeping with her Muslim faith.
The 35-year-old entered the nationals in Council Bluffs, Iowa after the International Weightlifting Federation ruled on her behalf two weeks ago that athletes could wear a full-body "unitard" under the customary weightlifting uniform.
The ruling placed a spotlight on Abdullah, who lives in Atlanta, for her first national competition.
"It will be like an ice-breaker type of experience and hopefully getting over nerves and things like that because I've never been to a competition at this level," Abdullah told The Associated Press.
She said she already considers her participation a victory, simply because she now has the right to lift while covered.
"I think that was the biggest thing for me," she said. "So even if I don't do my best or my personal records, I think that was the big thing for me. The accomplishment was to get started competing."
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