A Nova Scotia athlete is determined to break down barriers and showcase her culture at the 2025 Canada Summer Games underway in St. John's.

Shahad Alouch, a 17-year-old wrestler from Chester, N.S., will be wearing a hijab as she competes in the games, which represent the highest level of national competition for young Canadian athletes.

A hijab is a scarf worn by some Muslim women that covers their hair, neck and ears as a symbol of their faith.

Alouch first discovered wrestling in Grade 8, when a gym teacher introduced her to the sport.

"I didn't know what wrestling was," she said.

After she tried a few moves, her coach encouraged her to join practices.

Though family challenges initially kept her away at that time, she eventually returned, drawn to the unique nature of the sport.

"It gave me motivation and dedication," she said.

"You have to sacrifice, you have to give up on a lot of stuff.… It makes you mentally and physically strong."

Alouch was born in Syria and raised in Turkey before immigrating to Canada with her family in 2019.

Challenges to overcome

She said wearing a hijab while wrestling is a challenge "most of the time" because few referees are familiar with how to deal with it.

In one match, an opponent accidentally tugged at her hijab, leaving her shaken.

"I totally forgot I had to wrestle because knowing someone is trying to take off your hijab … it's like me trying to take off her singlet," she said.

With her coach's support, she now ensures referees and competitors understand the cultural and religious importance of her hijab before matches.

Alouch said she is excited to be going to the Canada Games with her teammates to represent Nova Scotia and is focused on growth rather than just winning.

She said her goal is to inspire others by showing that being from a different religion or culture should not deter them from participating in a sport that they love.

"There's space for all of us in sport and I'm happy to be part of that message," she said.

The Canada Summer Games run Aug. 8-25. The wrestling competition begins Aug. 21.

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