ing him build strength and sees himself as the top option to return kicks and punts

RIO DE JANEIRO -- American sabre fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad had spoken so often and movingly about her life as an openly observant Muslim and African-American woman at this particularly tense juncture in world events, it was easy to forget sometimes that her Olympic journey was about delivering a medal along with her message. Pistons Jerseys 2021 .But the athlete in the 30-year-old Muhammad showed up Monday midway through her Round of 16 match at the Rio Summer Games against Frances Ceclia Berder. Muhammad was fighting to stay in the Olympics. She got frustrated over a lost lead and then a series of calls, and the white-hot competitiveness she always told us was in her -- Trust me, she often said with a laugh, its there -- came spilling out.Muhammad pulled off her masked helmet and began talking to the referee after Berder went ahead, 11-7. Scoring is always highly subjective in fencing, especially when both fencers clash blades or trade touches at nearly the same instance. The athletes often both pump a fist at the same time, trying to buy a call or lay claim to the same point. But this time, Muhammad got a yellow card warning. Her early 6-2 lead and the match had changed to the rallying Berders favor now, and a few moments later, the ninth-ranked Frenchwoman, who sat one slot behind Muhammad in the world rankings, stopped Muhammads Olympic run two wins short of the medal round with a 15-12 loss.#USA fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad made history 2day: She is the first American to compete in a hijab. #fencing pic.twitter.com/mllDimffb8- Rio 2016 (@Rio2016_en) August 8, 2016After that, it took the deeply disappointed Muhammad more than an hour to arrive at the postmatch media area. But when she did, the advocate who has caught attention in America and beyond for the grace of her message and eloquence of her example, was standing here again. She was asked to put her remarkable journey to this point in perspective. As usual, words didnt fail her.Someone suggested perhaps it had been a burden to undertake all she had done -- training at the same time she was speaking out tirelessly about being the first American Olympian to compete in a hijab; taking on what she calls misconceptions about Muslims in general, and specifically Muslim women like her who wear modest clothing in observance of their faith -- but she answered the same way she always has.Its been a blessing, Muhammad insisted.I feel like things meant for me will never miss me, she added. And I realize this moment is bigger than me. No matter what happens in my life, I try to accept it for what it is, whether its winning or losing. I realize even with hard work, sometimes you may fall short. I worked so hard for this moment. But at the end of the day, I feel this is part of being in sport and representing my country and the Muslim community. So I always end every single match with the same sentiment, and thats that Im thankful to God for the experience, for allowing me to even be present in this moment.She was smiling now.I think this was written for me. It just fell the way it did.Muhammad, who grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey, before attending Duke University, still has another chance to win a medal here in Rio when the U.S. women compete in the team sabre competition. But she hasnt elaborated much on her plans beyond that.The witnessing she did over the past two years, in particular, pushing back against the anti-Muslim rhetoric that has heated up around the world, both within and without the Muslim community, and her message of tolerance earned her widespread attention. Everyone from sports networks to political figures, womens organizations to religious groups sought her out. Entertainers such as Stephen Colbert and Ellen DeGeneres put her on TV, President Obama asked her to take part in a discussion panel when he made his first visit as president to an American mosque, and Time magazine named her among its 100 most influential people of 2016 and elaborated on her story.But nobody tells the story as well as Muhammad herself.Monday, she patiently, calmly, sometimes humorously recapped parts of it again in the cattle-chute media zone underneath Carioca Arena 3 for the latest wave of people whod never heard it before.She stressed how honored she was to represent the U.S. and the transformative effect sports has had on her life. She talked movingly about how she was struck at Fridays Opening Ceremony by sports beautiful ability to bring people of different cultures together under this umbrella for one purpose. ... I think thats the most important thing I take away from my whole experience at the Olympics. This whole message of tolerance.She also spoke of hearing from girls on social media who say she has inspired them to consider doing things theyve been discouraged from doing. She only obliquely alluded to the various examples she has given over these many months of how she herself has been discriminated against for wearing her hijab. (There was a stranger in Times Square who asked her if shes a terrorist who intends to blow something up; the South by Southwest security worker who smirked when she declined to remove her hijab while going through the medical detector, even though she explained she wore it for religious reasons. Yeah, well, youre in Texas now, he said.) Monday, she preferred to dwell on the takeaway she hopes people get.Muhammad was asked to name the biggest misconceptions she still fights, and she said: That someone is forcing me to wear hijab. That Im oppressed. That I dont have a voice. Anyone who knows me knows Im very vocal. ... Very comfortable expressing myself. She stressed what shes doing is not just to challenge misconceptions outside the Muslim community, but also within the Muslim community. I want to break cultural norms. I want to show girls that its important to be active, its important to be involved.Has she been successful changing peoples minds?I hope so, she said. I dont know necessarily what is going through everyones mind at this moment.Unless she reconsiders plans to retire from fencing, her Olympic career will end after the sabre team competition later this week.She hasnt said what she intends to do after the Olympics, beyond continuing to run her online clothing business, Louella, which makes modest clothing for religiously observant women. A couple of questions about the coming elections in November didnt tease out any of her plans, either. But its hard to imagine her sitting quietly on the sidelines given how Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump - a target of hers before -- has called for a national registry for all Muslims, much like some convicted criminals must now do. Muhammad has already called such talk a throwback to dark times in our nations history.It is hard to imagine her fading away quietly now.I think anyone who listens to the news reports at all would realize the importance of having a Muslim woman on Team USA, she said. Its not just any team, its the United States of America. And in light of whats going on in our country, the political thoughts that we hear about -- all these things -- I feel kind of circle back to my presence on Team USA and, again, just challenging those misconceptions that people have about who the Muslim woman is.Its almost like how could you not see that Muslims are like any other group, you know? We are conservatives and we are liberals, there are women who cover and women who dont. There are African-American Muslims, there are white Muslims, there are Arab Muslims. There are so many different types of Muslims. There are so many Muslim countries that have had women as their heads of state. Those are things that I want people to be aware of.If Muhammad is right -- if this indeed has all been written for her, and things intended for her will not miss her -- its smart to stay tuned. Her time in the 2016 Olympic spotlight is almost over. But Ibtihaj Muhammad is not the kind of woman whos inclined to sit on the sidelines for long. Already, she has made the conversation about race and religion in America more intelligent with her voice and example. It will be fascinating to see what she undertakes next. Pistons Jerseys 2020 . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. Detroit Pistons Shirts .Y. - Detroit goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has earned NHL first star of the week honours after winning in his first three appearances of the season. https://www.cheappistonsonline.com/ . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday.SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The second week of organized team activities began for the San Francisco 49ers without Michael Crabtree but with the tough task of replacing the teams top wide receiver. Anquan Boldin sure seemed up for the challenge. As for the other wideouts, they will likely need more time -- and healthy bodies -- to help fill the void. Boldin caught the bulk of the balls during Tuesdays practice, the first one open to reporters that he has participated in since coming to the 49ers in a trade with Baltimore in March. He looked comfortable as ever in a red No. 81 jersey -- and later in a San Francisco Giants cap walking out of the locker room. With Crabtree out for the foreseeable future with a torn right Achilles tendon, Boldin could be the key to San Franciscos depleted receiving corps this season. "We have to make plays. The passing game goes through us. If we dont make plays outside, we wont be successful as an offence," Boldin said. "Its definitely on us to get better as a receiver corps entirely." Coach Jim Harbaugh has decided to put veterans on one side of the offence and have an open competition among younger players on the other for Crabtrees spot. Last years catchless first-round pick, A.J. Jenkins, and Ricardo Lockette and Quinton Patton are the leading contenders for the "X" role Crabtree so skillfully occupied until tearing his Achilles in 7-on-7 drills last week. Recovery time can often take as long as a year after surgery, though the team is optimistic Crabtree will return at some point in 2013. In the meantime, the NFC champions will rely on Boldins experience to help groom the younger receivers into a bigger role, especially with reliable wideouts Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams both coming off serious knee injuries that occurred late in the regular season. "Anquan is not a talkative guy," Harbaugh said. "Hes not a small-talk guy. Hes just very serious about competing, and very serious about football and winning. I think itll speak volumes if the young guys observe that." Boldin had 65 catches for 921 yards and four touchdowns for the Ravens last season. He also caught six passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in Baltimores 34-31 win over San Francisco in the Super Bowl on Feb. 3. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound receiver said he already feels comfortable in San Franciscos complicated version of the West Coast offence. In his 11th year in the NFL, Boldin said he has run many of the same plays and routes throughout his career but the terminology with the 49ers is the major difference. "For me, its just translating right now," he said. Boldins big frame already has made him a favourite of starter Colin Kaepernick and the other quarterbacks. While it was only one practice without full pads, he was often the first read and easily targeted more than any other player on the field, including while catching a 25-yard touchdown pass from B. Custom Detroit Pistons Jerseys. J. Daniels between three defenders. "I guess Im looked at as being able to step in right now and make plays," Boldin said. "And thats what I want to bring. I want Kaep to be comfortable. I want the other quarterbacks to be comfortable enough to, even if it doesnt look like Im open, just give me a chance. Ill make a play for you." Thats exactly what Crabtree gave Kaepernick last season. The 25-year-old Crabtree, the teams 10th overall pick in the 2009 draft out of Texas Tech, had career highs with 85 receptions for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns for the 49ers last season. He was one of the biggest reasons the franchise returned to the Super Bowl for the first time in 18 years, clicking with Kaepernick after his promotion over Alex Smith in November. More than likely, the 49ers will need a collection of players to make up for Crabtrees loss. Williams already was participating in some individual practice drills and said he hopes to be ready by training camp. Harbaugh has said Manningham might need more time to recover. Jenkins and Lockette both trained with Kaepernick in the Atlanta area for about two months during the off-season. The trio even lived together in Georgia and often quizzed each other about the playbook. Back on the practice field at 49ers headquarters, now its up to the veterans to help speed up the learning. "Its a credit to the young guys we have, theyre not afraid to come ask questions, How do I do this? How do I run this route? Against this coverage, what do we do?" Williams said. "For me, Im happy to do that stuff because I want to see these guys progress and move along and become better players. Weve got it. Weve got a bunch of them. Dont sleep on some of the young guys we have." NOTES: Harbaugh said RB Frank Gore has not been participating in practice because he is "working through something," the coachs typical line for an injured player. Harbaugh said the injury is not serious. ... Second-year RB LaMichael James said he is up to 205 pounds, 10 more than his playing weight last season. He credited the off-season weightlifting program with helping him build strength and sees himself as the top option to return kicks and punts with Ted Ginn Jr. gone. ... Harbaugh said he received some tips from three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford before driving a high-performance Corvette Stinger at the track over the weekend. He said he got the car up to 118 mph the last two turns. "Of course, by next week when I retell the story it might be up to 138," he joked. ' ' '