The just concluded Paris 2024 Olympics gave me tremendous joy as an editor closely following the games for Marie Claire Nigeria’s Lifestyle and Culture department. The D’Tigress squad made it to the quarterfinals and beat a formidable powerhouse, Australia. Simone Biles made history by becoming the most decorated Olympic gymnast of all time. We even had our first-ever gymnast from the African continent, Kaylia Neymour, win a gold medal!
However, the most remarkable spectacle for me was the pregnant female athletes defying boundaries. From Nada Hafez to Yaylagul Ramazanova, these women didn’t just compete; they redefined what it means to be an athlete and a mother, inspiring countless others to rethink the boundaries of possibility.
It reminded me of a profound incident at the 2021 National Sports Festival, where a 23-year-old Amina Idrees went viral performing taekwondo while eight months pregnant. I decided to track her down and get the exclusive story on her journey into taekwondo, the events leading up to her viral performance, and everything that’s happened since.
A tough choice and a taekwondo legacy
Idrees’ involvement in taekwondo wasn’t just an individual decision but one deeply rooted in family tradition. “My dad is a coach, and I have four elder brothers who are taekwondo practitioners,” she shared. “It’s kind of a family thing.”
Her passion was ignited early on. Her brother encouraged her despite their mother’s initial reluctance because “girls are meant to be seen, not heard.” She dreamt of becoming a footballer, but her high school football coach told her she couldn’t participate because of the ideals her Islamic religion dictated, particularly the wearing of a hijab.
“It was hurtful at the time. I was only 12 years old, and I never fully understood why wearing the hijab on a football field was such a bad thing. Thankfully, I now see more women wearing headscarves to play the game. But this made me pivot fully into the world of taekwondo.”
It is important to note that although FIFA, football’s global governing body, has allowed women to wear headscarves during play since 2014, it is still banned in Western countries such as France as a means of upholding religious neutrality in sports. It is also frowned upon to play football as a woman in the Northern regions of Nigeria and Egypt. Nouhaila Benzina of Morocco made history at the 2023 Women’s World Cup as the first female player to compete with a headscarf.
Into the world of taekwondo
Once she decided to focus on taekwondo, she enlisted one of her brothers, Musa, to teach her everything he knew about the sport. It became one of her favourite pastimes in university, when all she needed to do was perform synchronised moves in the dojo for meditation and mental relaxation.
But that’s not the only reason why Idrees enjoys the sport. For her, taekwondo serves as a means of protection against unwanted entities, which gives her an undeniable sense of liberty. She explains, “I also love taekwondo because it’s both a martial art and an art of self-defence. As a girl, knowing I can defend myself without assistance gives me confidence. It’s empowering.”
With the help of her brother and university instructors, she continued to learn and participate in local taekwondo tournaments for about three years. After graduation, she found love with her partner (name redacted) and married a year before the National Sports Festival, scheduled to be held in March 2021.
But there was just one challenge between her and her dream—being eight-months pregnant.
Balancing training and pregnancy
Pregnancy brought new challenges—morning sickness, fatigue, and the need to adjust her training routine. Yet, Idrees found solace on the mat.
“When I’m on the mat, I forget about everything else,” she said, her voice reflecting the sanctuary her training provided. “It’s just me, my opponent, and the drive to win.”
Prioritising her health and baby’s, Idrees adapted her routine to accommodate her changing body. “I listened to my body and made adjustments as needed,” she said. “I wanted to ensure I was healthy for myself and my baby.”
The COVID-19 pandemic had already caused multiple postponements as the festival approached, casting doubt on whether she could compete while pregnant. Concerns from the Taekwondo Association and Lagos State Sports Council added to the uncertainty. Nevertheless, her determination remained unshaken.
“I knew there would be challenges, but I was determined to overcome them,” Idrees asserted. “This was my dream, and I wouldn’t let it slip away.” Thankfully, a medical certification confirmed her fitness, which allowed her to compete, a moment that filled her with relief and resolve.
A triumph against the odds
On the festival day, Idrees’ performance was nothing short of extraordinary. Despite her pregnancy, she competed in the Mixed Poomsae event, consisting of various fundamental stances, blocks, punches, and kicks logically arranged in a meaningful order in response to attacks from multiple imaginary assailants.
She earned not one but three medals—a gold, silver, and bronze medal. Her gold medal was particularly historic, a first for the Lagos State Sports Association.
“When I stepped onto that mat, I knew I had to give it my all,” Idrees said, her voice filled with emotion as she reminisced.
“I had been practising for three years, and I wasn’t ready to kick the bucket on that dream just because I was pregnant. I wasn’t just competing for myself but for my unborn child and all the women who dream of breaking barriers.”
Her impressive victory garnered worldwide attention from CNN and other newsrooms in Britain, Korea, and India.
Mixed feelings and audience perception
Her triumph elicited awe and outrage, with critics condemning her decision to compete so late in pregnancy.
But others defended her involvement in the sports festival.
“I love how she made the sequencing so easy to the eyes. Awesome performance. Let those with ignorant comments bury their heads in shame. Poomsae is not a fight but a tactical combination of movements against imaginary attacks,” said Twitter user Tope Adebayo.
Idrees attributed the criticism to a deficiency in knowledge regarding the various forms of taekwondo. She said,
“A lot of people don’t understand what taekwondo is actually about. I feel this is an avenue to educate people about this. Taekwondo has two branches: the combat sport and Poomsae, a form of exercise that displays the hand and leg techniques in Taekwondo.”
Risks associated with taekwondo during pregnancy
Performing taekwondo as a pregnant female athlete can present certain risks because it often involves contact and high-intensity movements.
Taekwondo includes sparring and contact drills, which can pose a risk of abdominal trauma. Many experts recommend avoiding sparring altogether during pregnancy to prevent any potential harm to the foetus. Taekwondo is also a high-intensity exercise, which can lead to increased heart rates and physical strain. While moderate exercise is beneficial during pregnancy, activities that push the body too hard should be cautiously approached.
Research indicates that pregnant women who engage in high-impact or contact sports may face a higher risk of injury. For example, a study found that about 30% of women who continued high-impact sports during pregnancy reported some form of injury.
Reflecting on her viral success
Idrees’ performance at the National Sports Festival went viral, capturing widespread attention and admiration. Reflecting on her reaction to this unexpected fame, she shared her surprise and gratitude. “I didn’t even know it went viral until I returned to Lagos,” she laughed. “My husband was like, ‘Babe, you’re all over the place. You’re on social media. You’re on the news.’”
The overwhelming support she received was deeply moving. “I started getting calls from people I haven’t spoken to in years,” she said. “They were like, ‘Oh my God, we saw you. We saw your performance. We’re so proud of you.”
However, Idrees has opted to maintain a low profile, preferring her quiet life over the allure of the spotlight. “Fame and social media aren’t my thing,” she revealed. “Left to me, I would not have a social media presence. I enjoy the comfort of my home, family, and dojo. That’s what matters.”
What’s next for Idrees?
A year after the festival, she took a break from competitive taekwondo to focus on her family, welcoming her second child in 2023. “I stopped competing because I needed to care for my baby,” she explained. “But I always knew I would return to the sport I love.”
Eager to resume training, Idrees looks forward to the future. “I’m hoping to get more active in the next two months,” she shared. “I want to show my children that pursuing your passion is important, no matter the circumstances.”
Amina Idrees’ story is a powerful testament to the strength of determination and the impact of support. Her remarkable achievement is a beacon of hope for pregnant athletes everywhere, validating the age-old adage, “If you can think it, then you really can DO IT!”
