Aneila Afsar made history as the first contender to appear on the iconic BBC One show, Gladiators, wearing a hijab. The show, which has entertained audiences with thrilling physical challenges since its reboot last year, has a new rising star as Aneila has successfully advanced to the semi-finals, capturing the hearts of many along the way.

At just 26 years of age, Aneila is breaking barriers and aiming to inspire a generation of young Muslim girls and women. "I love that I have the opportunity to go on this iconic show and inspire young Muslim girls, women from my community, and show them that there's nothing we can't do," she shared during an interview with BBC Newsbeat.

The hijab, which many Muslim women wear as a symbol of modesty and faith, has been a significant aspect of Aneila's identity, although she only began wearing it three years ago. Prior to that, she struggled to find representation in sports, which deterred her from embracing her cultural heritage. Aneila stated, "Part of that was because I didn't have female Muslim role models in the sport or sports in general." This lack of visibility made her hesitant to cover her hair, as she felt the weight of others' gazes when transitioning from a non-covered state to wearing a hijab.

The mother of two hails from Lancashire and is not only a participant on Gladiators but also a former taekwondo champion, having clinched a Commonwealth Championship title in the youth category. She reflected on her earlier experiences, saying, "It was hard adapting to wearing a headscarf while being in the fitness industry. Going from not covering to then covering everything, which includes your hair, you can feel as if people are staring; you don't feel confident." However, with time and maturity, Aneila has transformed her view of the hijab, now considering it a source of empowerment. "It's my superpower. I love it," she exclaimed proudly.

Despite her accomplishments, Aneila’s journey has not been without challenges. The hijab has often sparked controversy in the world of sports. For example, during the 2022 Paris Olympics, French athletes were banned from wearing the hijab, despite a ruling from the International Olympic Committee that permitted it. In a notable moment for representation, Moroccan footballer Nouhaila Benzina made history by wearing a hijab at the Women's World Cup in 2023, a significant milestone considering FIFA's ban on the hijab prior to 2014.

Aneila, while facing some backlash, including receiving Islamophobic and racist comments on social media, has mostly been met with overwhelming support. She mentioned, "Not everyone has been so positive about my hijab," but she also emphasized the importance of the encouraging messages from her fans. "You can wear a hijab, be involved in fitness and still pursue your dreams," she reassured her supporters.

The impact of Aneila's presence on Gladiators extends beyond young girls. "Since being on Gladiators, I’ve received messages from women in their 40s who say if there was a visible Muslim woman wearing a headscarf when they were younger, their whole journey with fitness would have been different," she noted. This sentiment reflects the essential role role models play in shaping the perceptions and aspirations of future generations.

As she continues her journey on Gladiators, Aneila hopes to instill confidence in her children as well. "My daughter was getting older, and I wanted to be a visible Muslim role model for her," she explained, attributing her decision to wear a hijab to the desire to inspire her children. Aneila firmly believes that her experiences demonstrate that "we can push the barriers out and break any stereotypes." She concludes with the powerful message that "the hijab is not a limitation." Gladiators will air on BBC One at 17:50 on Saturday, April 5th, showcasing Aneila's remarkable journey.