Meet Tina Rahimi: Australia’s first-ever woman Muslim boxer at a Commonwealth Games 

It all started when Tina Rahimi and a friend began hitting the pads during a women-only boxing class at a local gym. 

The two Sydneysiders opted to take up the sport when they found their personal fitness journeys stalling and they wanted to take up something a bit more ‘motivating.’ 

While her friend dragged her heels 26-year-old Rahimi discovered something in those boxing sessions she never had thought possible: 

“I remember punching the bags for the first time and I was like, wow this is such an amazing feeling.” 26-year-old Australian told Channel 10 recalling her unlikely origin story. “I fell in love.” 

Just a year into starting Rahimi’s abilities in the ring began to match her burgeoning passion and she began hunting for more.  

The featherweight boxer (57kg) entered her first fight in 2018 and, though she struggled to contain her nerves in the build-up, her victory later reassured her that she had found her calling.  

Since her debut bout win the former make-up artist has doubled down on the sport shifting it from hobby to pursuit. And though the COVID-19 pandemic may have delayed her rise, the boxer with a 15-2 win-loss rate is now peaking at precisely the right time. 

Earlier this year Rahimi defied a shoulder ligament injury to claim Australia’s national featherweight title. 

Her victory not only qualified her for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, but it also handed her a piece of history.  

Rahimi’s subsequent selection makes Australia’s first-ever woman Muslim boxer to compete at the quadrennial showpiece event.

Australia’s Tina Rahimi: Don’t underestimate the killer instinct

Rahimi, with her immaculate make-up, hijab, long sleeves and tights, knows better than anyone that she doesn’t exactly conform to what boxers are ‘supposed’ to look like.

But, just like her opponents, people’s expectations are there to be smashed.

“At first I was really uncomfortable,” Rahimi told AAP News on the attention she would pick up because of her visible differences.

“They'd look at me like 'who's this girl? She's going to get bashed', because I just look so different - I don't look like a boxer.”

However, such misjudgements by those watching her, including her opponents, have proved to be their undoing – and not Rahimi’s.

“Once they see me fight and see that I can actually fight, they show their respect,” she continued. “It feels amazing.”

When the Muslim boxer will finally enter the ring at the NEC in Birmingham for her first bout, she will do so with an immense amount of pride for her background and the person she chooses to be.

From practising Ramadan to praying for the safety of her and her rival before each fight, Rahimi's devotion allows her to draw great strength from her faith.

“It will be amazing to be representing my country and also my community,” the Commonwealth Games debutant said in her interview with Channel 10.

“I’ll hopefully show the youth and everyone out there that everything is possible regardless of how you look, how you dress.”

Tina Rahimi: the Australian boxing hopeful bidding for greatness 

As for her aspirations for the Commonwealth Games, Rahimi has her eye on one prize in particular: a gold medal.  

The number one prize would mark the perfect conclusion of a dream she dared to hope for back in November last year when she set the Commonwealth Games logo as a background on her phone screen.  

But after being knocked out in the first round of her first international competition**, IBA Women’s Boxing World Championships**, earlier this year she is all too aware that the task before her won’t be easy. 

It will all come down to channelling that same inner fighter who emerged back in the local gym some five years ago jabbing with joy.   

“I am going to give it everything that I have,” Rahimi said continuing to Channel 10. “I’m going to make sure that I am going to be victorious.”