Olympic boxer Tina Rahimi opens up about fasting for Ramadan while training
Many Muslims around the world are spending this month of Ramadan trying to undergo their normal routines while abstaining from food and water.
Olympic boxer Tina Rahimi is no exception – except her regular routine involves her battling it out in the boxing ring without even a sip of water for hours.
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Tina Rahimi is spending her Ramadan training for a competition. Getty Images for AOC
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The 28-year-old is determined to make it work, making adjustments to her regular routine in order to maintain her commitment to religion.
"Fasting while training has definitely been challenging, especially during intense boxing sessions and sparring," she admits to 9honey.
In order to manage it, the Olympian says she has "been prioritising my boxing sessions and scheduling my runs two to three a week later at night after breaking my fast."
Rahimi can't deny the physical implications of training on an empty stomach, admitting, "I do get really thirsty after my sessions, but my body has learned to adapt, and I've found ways to power through.
"I make sure to drink plenty of water and electrolytes before starting my fast to stay well-hydrated throughout the day. This has helped me a lot, allowing me to maintain my energy and keep up with my training sessions," she says.
With a scheduled competition happening to fall on Eid, the day right after Ramadan ends, Rahimi can't afford to take shortcuts.
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She has to train while not having food and water from sunrise to sunset. Instagram/Tina Rahimi
"I'm staying focused and pushing through this month to stay prepared. If I wasn't competing, I'd probably take a more relaxed approach," she says.
When she does, she makes sure to (and advises others to) "listen to your body and do what you can in the gym. Even if that means shortening your sessions, the most important thing is to keep your body moving."
But the biggest challenge is in the mental battle she has with herself, trying to not use fasting as an "excuse".
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"Mentally, whenever I start feeling the effects of fasting or hear that little voice making excuses, I push myself even harder," she shares.
"I don't allow it to be an excuse because overcoming it makes me feel strong and capable like I can do anything I set my mind to, even without water.
"At the end of the day, it's all about willpower."
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Rahimi has made history, being one of the first Australian Muslim women boxers, and the first to compete in the Olympic Games. Getty
Rahimi has made history, being one of the first Australian Muslim women boxers, and the first to compete in the Olympic Games at the Summer Olympics in 2024 in Paris, France.
Originally a makeup artist from South-West Sydney's Bankstown, Rahimi was ultimately defeated in her match with Poland's Julia Szeremeta in the first round of the 57-kilogram class.
The boxer previously spoke about balancing her faith with her aspirations to Nine's Wide World of Sports.
READ MORE: What is Eid ul Fitr and how is it celebrated in Australia? All your questions, answered
Rahimi also had to prepare for the Olympics last year while fasting. Instagram/Tina Rahimi
"Ramadan is the most blessed month of the whole Islamic calendar year. So it is very important for me to make sure that I am fasting and will be fasting throughout – it's not just about not eating or drinking. I feel like that sort of reminds you of what you should be doing, and that's just becoming a better human and a better person," she said in the interview last year.
"I feel like it's a month for me to get closer to God," she said as she teared up, ""I really wanted to take advantage, but I guess I'm trying to do both. The Olympics is really important, so I guess you've got to make those sacrifices."
She admitted it was hard to stay focused in her "Olympic training, and then obviously, still trying to do the best that I can with Ramadan as well. So it is hard and challenging, but gotta suck it up."
READ MORE: A day in the life during Ramadan: Six Australian Muslims on their daily routine
Rahimi hopes to be the represntation others need. Instagram/tinarahimii_
"My faith is really important in my boxing career, because I feel like there's certain things that I need to follow which is really, really important to me, and people understanding what the things that I can and can't do, and being that representation is really important to me," she said.
"It shows that you can still have that faith and believe in what you want to believe in, and still be on the world stage [with] people still supporting you."
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