Dalilah Muhammad is a super big deal right now, but she’s been an awesome athlete for years!
Here are 10 things to know about gold medal athlete Dalilah Muhammad.
1- The Gold Medal
Dalilah Muhammad just broke the world record for the 400 meters hurdles while winning a gold medal at the 2019 World Championships. Her record: 52.16
2 – World Records
This is the SECOND time Muhammad has broken the same world record. Back in July 2019, she broke the 16-year old record for the 400 meters at the United States Championships. Her prior record: 52.20
3 – She Knew It!
Muhammad had an idea she would break the record again, since she broke it the first time while she wasn’t at her best. She ran in the United States Championships just two weeks after suffering a mild concussion in an accident while training!
4 -Muhammad earned a nice performance bonus for breaking the world record – $100,000.
5- Muhammad was born into an American Muslim family in Jamaica, Queens, in New York City, to parents Nadirah and Askia Muhammad.
Nadirah is a child protection specialist and Askia was a Muslim Chaplain, teaching Islamic Studies at the New York Theological Seminary.
6- She has a degree in business from the University of Southern California.
7- After winning a silver medal in 2013, she was finally signed to a sponsor – Nike!
8 – Activism
Muhammad used her platform to speak out against President Trump’s executive order on immigration. “I think it’s unfortunate and it kind of makes me a little bit worried, just because we travel so much back and forth out of the country — and having the name Muhammad attached to me — it’s a little scary almost. It’s just unfortunate.” she told LetsRun.com.
9 – Motivation
Muhammad has an excellent motivational motto. After several injuries beginning in 2013, she changed her approach to the 2016 Olympics and took on the attitude: “Why not me?” Muhammad thought to herself: “Someone’s going to win the 2016 Olympics so why can’t it be you?
10 – Social Work
Muhammad, along with other medalist winners, participates in USA Track & Field’s program to encourage children to do more sports and physical activities called RunJumpThrow in New York City.