Grey belt Aaminah Abdrabboh made history this year at the 2023 IBJJF Pan Kids Championships, becoming the first athlete to win a gold medal while wearing a hijab in IBJJF competition.

Prior to 2014, the hijab was a banned piece of clothing under the IBJJF regulations, which cited safety concerns. Because of this many women who practiced the Islamic faith could not compete. The head coach of the UAE women’s jiu-jitsu team, Caroline De Lazzer, led campaign to have the rule lifted in 2011. It would take three years but, in the end, De Lazzer’s push to allow her athletes to fight would prove victorious. Now, nine years later, Amanina walked away from the Pan Kids Championships with the junior 3 grey belt super heavyweight title.

    Aaminah began training at seven years old under her father, Mohammad Abdrabboh, and David Fox. She trains out of Metro Jiu-Jitsu in Southgate, Michigan. 

The young athlete trained seven days a week, two to four hours a day, leading up to Pans. According to Aaminah, training in a hijab presents its own sense of challenges. “I have to be aware during a roll of how my hijab will move,” she said. “I have to adjust it sometimes if I feel it slipping.” 

Due to her religion, Aaminah also must wear a long shirt and pants under her gi. When training, she can train only with other girls, which limits her selection of training partners.

“The girls who wear a hijab have one more thing to worry about when rolling, said Mohammad Abdrabboh. “They have to make sure to roll extremely technically. I want women of this faith to feel empowered and Jiu-jitsu provides this.” Aaminah said that sticking to her faith is important to her, but that she never wants her wardrobe to determine her skill set.

    Aaminah displayed confident technique at PANS. She won her first match by referee decision, advancing to the final, where she secured an armbar from a hip bump sweep. She was promoted to yellow belt on the podium.

“I am happy that IBJJF got rid of the ban because if it was 10 years ago I wouldn’t be able to compete,” Aaminah said. “Now, because of the lift, I can show I am not just a girl who wears a hijab. I can do other things. I hope people will learn that girls can do anything. It’s not just a boy’s sport.” 

She added that she hopes her win will inspire other girls who wear the hijab to compete. Aaminah said she aims to become a world champion black belt, and that she hopes to teach and take over her father’s gym.