audio, stills, text and or video: Go to zReportage.com to see more - Amaiya Zafar stepped into a boxing ring in Iowa amid little fanfare in late May, 2017. She felt relaxed, confident. A teenager happy to be competing in a sport she loves. She won a three-round fight by decision, improving her career record to 1-1. ''The second fight I could showcase my skills better,'' she said. ''That's how I'll actually look when I fight.'' Her debut fight was a blur of emotions, an event that attracted national headlines, a horde of news media and raucous supporters that screamed so loudly that Zafar could not hear instructions from her corner. Zafar, a 17-year-old Muslim from Oakdale, finally prevailed in a two-year dispute with USA Boxing and made history by becoming the first fighter to wear a hijab, long sleeves and leggings in a sanctioned bout. She lost her fight but scored a larger victory by opening doors for other Muslims in the United States to compete in sanctioned matches by receiving a religious exemption waiver.
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February 7, 2017 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. - AMAIYA ZAFAR trains with JONATHAN PEREZ, a coach and professional boxer, at Circle of Discipline boxing gym.
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February 7, 2017 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. - AMAIYA ZAFAR races up the stairs at Richard Green Elementary during an after-school boxing program. She helped lead the class with ADONIS FRAZIER, a boxing coach from the nearby Circle of Discipline gym.
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February 7, 2017 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. - AMAIYA ZAFAR, right, waits to race against DA'SAN FRAZIER, 16, during an after-school boxing program that Zafar was helping lead at Richard Green Elementary school on Feb. 7, 2017. Frazier is the son of Adonis Frazier, a boxing coach at Circle of Discipline gym.
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Sept. 23, 2015 - Oakdale, Minnesota, U.S. - AMAIYA ZAFAR,15, wrapped her hands before practice at Sir Cerresso Fort Boxing. Zafar from Oakdale, Minn., is seeking to compete for the first time in a USA Boxing-sanctioned event this Friday in Duluth. She's asking USA Boxing and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to allow her to wear modest Islamic attire, including a head scarf, or hijab.
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April 29, 2017 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. - AMAIYA ZAFAR warms up with her coach, SANKARA FRAZIER, with Circle of Discipline, before her boxing match on Saturday, at Richard Green Central Elementary School.
© April 29, 2017 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. - AMAIYA ZAFAR warms up with her coach, SANKARA FRAZIER, with Circle of Discipline, before her boxing match on Saturday, at Richard Green Central Elementary School.

April 29, 2017 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. - Boxing referee SIERRA LEONE SAMUELS bumps fists with AMAIYA ZAFAR as she says, ''You're good to go,'' after checking to make sure Zafar's uniform was legal on Saturday, at Richard Green Central Elementary School.
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April 29, 2017 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. - AMAIYA ZAFAR performs her afternoon prayers in a hallway outside the gym of Richard Green Central Elementary prior to her fight on Saturday.
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April 29, 2017 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. - AMAIYA ZAFAR is surrounded by friends and family as she is announced before her fight on Saturday, at Richard Green Central Elementary School.
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April 29, 2017 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. - AMAIYA ZAFAR throws a punch at Isabella Hendrickson, 16, during their fight Saturday night, at Richard Green Central Elementary School.
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April 29, 2017 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. - AMAIYA ZAFAR throws a punch at ISABELLA HENDRICKSON, 16, during their fight Saturday night, at Richard Green Central Elementary School.
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April 29, 2017 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. - AMAIYA ZAFAR looks on as ISABELLA HENDRICKSON, 16, is named winner by split decision by referee SIERRA LEONE SAMUELS following their fight Saturday night, at Richard Green Central Elementary School.
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April 29, 2017 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. - A tear ran down the cheek of AMAIYA ZAFAR as she was embraced by friends and family following her fight Saturday night, at Richard Green Central Elementary School.
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