RIO DE JANEIRO -- American Ibtihaj Muhammad looked like any other fencer when she stepped on the piste -- save for the nondescript black scarf covering her head.With that small gesture, Muhammad made history.Muhammad on Monday became the first American athlete to compete in the Olympics with a hijab, which she wears to adhere to the tenets of her Muslim faith.Muhammad, ranked eighth in the world in sabre, beat Ukrainian Olena Kravatska 15-13 in her first match before falling to Frances Cecilia Berder 15-12 in the round of 16.Muhammad will compete again Saturday in the team sabre event.I feel like its a blessing to be able to represent so many people who dont have voices, who dont speak up, Muhammad said. Its just been a really remarkable experience.Muhammad, a New Jersey native and three-time NCAA All-American from Duke, became an instant star when she qualified for her first Olympics earlier this year.Muhammad embraced the spotlight, which helped make her an unlikely face of the U.S. team given how little publicity fencing typically receives.It represents who shes been her entire life. Ever since she was a little girl, she never let anything hold her back. She never set limits. Shes always striving to be the very best, said Ibtihajs brother Qareeb, who was overcome with emotion when he saw his sister compete. Despite the adversity shes faced; being a Muslim, being an African-American, being a female, shes still confident in her ability to be successful. Shes my hero.Muhammads siblings, parents and friends came to Rio from as far away as Los Angeles and New Jersey to cheer her on, giving Muhammad a standing ovation ahead of her first match.Muhammad got off to a shaky start against Kravatska, but she rallied with a string of points that put her over the top.But Berder, ranked ninth, took control of their round of 16 match midway through and rolled to victory. Muhammad was so frustrated by her performance that she needed over an hour to compose herself before meeting reporters.In a sport like fencing, youre your own biggest opponent. If you can control yourself and your nerves and your emotions and execute the actions that you want to execute in the way that you want to execute, youll always be successful. I failed to do that, Muhammad said.Muhammads history-making moment overshadowed the upset loss by teammates Mariel Zagunis in the round of 16.Zagunis, a two-time Olympic gold medalist ranked third in the world, was beaten by Russias Ekaterina Dyachenko 15-12.Still, Muhammad and Zagunis are two major reasons the Americans will be a medal favorite Saturday.There is that silver lining in the sense that you do have that team event. I know that the Americans didnt perform in the way that we wanted, but I love my team, I love my teammates and I believe in them. I believe in myself. I believe in us, and I want us to win a medal more than anything. I want us to do it for our country, Muhammad said. Cheap Air Jordan 4 Canada Sale . The 18th player to shoot 60 on the tour, Jamieson settled for par on the final hole when his 15-foot birdie chip grazed the edge of the hole and stayed out. 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Cheap Air Jordan 4 Canada . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Japans shocking win over New Zealand and a tournament-ending injury to Sonny Bill Williams proved on the first day of Olympic mens rugby in 92 years what coaches have long been saying about the sevens format.First time Japan has ever beaten our side, but thats sevens rugby now, New Zealand coach Gordon Tiejens said. The gap has closed considerably. If youre not up for it on the day, youll get beaten by any team.World series champion Fiji, second-seeded South Africa and Britain secured quarterfinal spots and topped their pools, but nothing came easily Tuesday at Deodoro Stadium.Japans 14-12 upset against New Zealand, its first ever in rugby sevens, and its narrow 21-19 loss to Britain turned the formbook in Pool C upside down.If that wasnt enough, the Japanese went within inches of a draw with Britain, missing a chance at a late equalizer when Teruya Goto couldnt convert Lomano Lemekis last-minute try.It was heartbreaking. We wanted that goal, so for the next game wed know were going to quarterfinals, Japans Lote Tuqiri said. Now we need to step up -- its a must-win game for us against Kenya.Still, he reckoned the performances at the Olympics were worth celebrating almost as much as Japans win over South Africa last year in the traditional 15-a-side game, which ranked as the biggest upset ever at the Rugby World Cup.How Japan finished at the World Cup was really a big boost for Japan rugby and really lifted rugby in Japan, he said. Hopefully our win against New Zealand will boost it another level.New Zealand regained some confidence after its bad start with a 28-55 win over Kenya, which opened with a 31-7 loss to Britain.ddddddddddddTietjens said his team would miss Williams, a two-time World Cup champion with the All Blacks and the highest profile player in the tournament.For that to happen in the first game of the tournament is devastating. Hes obviously shattered and disappointed, Tietjens said. But theres a lot of character in this team, I can assure you.Fiji kicked off its bid for a first Olympic medal with a 40-12 win over host Brazil, then needed two late tries for a comeback 21-14 win over Argentina -- ensured by Jerry Tuwais desperate try-saving tackle on Axel Muller in the last seconds.The Fijians lead Pool A and the second-seeded South Africans posted 50 points without conceding any in wins over Spain and France to top Pool B.The top eight teams after three group games enter the quarterfinals. Thats the top two teams in each of the three groups, plus the next two third-place teams, so points differentials will be crucial.The U.S. men conceded a last-minute try in a 17-14 loss to Argentina in their first match and rebounded with a 26-0 win over Brazil, leaving plenty on the line Wednesday when the Americans play Fiji.In Pool B, the battle for second is between France and Australia. 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