'Nothing we can't do': Gladiators' first hijabi contender aims to inspire

Aneila Afsar has made a remarkable mark in the world of sports by becoming the first contestant to compete on the popular show Gladiators while wearing a hijab. Gladiators is a thrilling competition on BBC One where gladiators face off against challengers in various physical challenges. Since the show was rebooted last year, Aneila has made it all the way to the semi-finals, showcasing her incredible talent and determination. At just 26 years old, she is proud to wear her hijab and aims to inspire young Muslim girls and women everywhere. She expressed her feelings by saying, 'I love that I have the opportunity to go on this iconic show and inspire young Muslim girls, women from my community, and show them that there's nothing we can't do. ' The hijab is an important symbol of modesty for many Muslim women, and Aneila has only been wearing one for the past three years. Before that, she was a successful taekwondo champion, having won a Commonwealth Championship in the youth category. Aneila admitted that she struggled with the decision to wear a hijab, as she did not see many female Muslim role models in sports. She shared, 'It was hard adapting to wearing a headscarf while being in the fitness industry. ' The transition from not covering her hair to wearing a hijab was challenging, as she often felt self-conscious and worried about how others perceived her. However, as she matured, Aneila found the confidence to embrace her identity and now views her hijab as a source of empowerment. She proudly stated, 'It's empowering, it's my superpower. I love it. ' Aneila's journey on Gladiators has been nothing short of impressive. She has proven herself to be a fierce competitor, making it to the semi-finals as the fastest runner-up after narrowly missing out on victory in her last challenge. In one of the exciting challenges, she had to run while holding a red ball, with a gladiator named Sabre trying to prevent her from scoring. Despite facing some negativity regarding her hijab, Aneila has received overwhelming support from fans and viewers. She has shared her experiences of receiving Islamophobic and racist comments on social media, but she emphasizes that the positive reactions far outweigh the negative ones. Aneila wants to show that wearing a hijab does not hinder one's ability to participate in sports or pursue dreams. She has received heartfelt messages from young girls as young as 12, telling her that she has inspired them to return to gymnastics and engage in sports. Aneila also hopes that her journey will encourage her own children to embrace their identities and feel comfortable being themselves. She mentioned, 'I have used my children to be my inspiration. It's because of them I wanted to wear a headscarf. ' Aneila believes that her presence on Gladiators has helped challenge stereotypes and break down barriers. She wants to convey the message that the hijab is not a limitation but rather a symbol of strength and resilience. Gladiators will air on BBC One at 5:50 PM on Saturday, April 5, and Aneila's story serves as a powerful reminder that anyone can achieve greatness, regardless of their background or what they wear.