Hijabi taekwondo instructor breaks internet after video of her training all nine months of pregnancy goes viral

It's always remarkable to see women who in a decidedly gender unequal world, are exemplifying how to defy glass ceilings and lead empowered lives. With their work and their lives, they are showing us how we can come together to #BreakTheBias, which happens to be the campaign theme of Women's Day in 2022.

Sarah Eldeen, the 28-year-old hijabi taekwondo instructor from California, US is one such woman who just recently went viral on social media and had the Internet buzzing, when she shared a video of herself pulling lethal stunts involving kicks.

Now if you are wondering what was so special about the video that garnered a whopping 9.6 million views, Sara documented her training taekwondo every month of her pregnancy, all three trimesters, until about the ninth month when she went into labour.

As told to Indian Express, Sarah — who is originally from Damascus, Syria drew her passion for Taekwondo several years after she fled the war in Syria in 2013 and moved to the US.

It took a couple of years for Sarah to adapt to her new life. Eventually, she found a taekwondo studio near where she lives and gave it a try to get stronger, both mentally and physically, and to socialise.

Taekwondo eventually helped her make new friends, move forward in life, and became an integrated part of her life.

Although, she drew backlash from many for risking the health of the baby, Sara claimed that she was extremely careful and she went to train because it helped her stay strong and get her mind off the pregnancy.

She also said that the biggest supporter in the journey was definitely her husband who when he used to see her feeling low, would take her to training or to the gym.

When asked whether doing taekwondo in the months leading up to her delivery was a way to smash patriarchy and make a statement, Sara said how Taekwondo was part of her life and how skipping training felt like skipping showers to her. She also explained how the sport helped her feel empowered.

She further added how she receive a lot of hate from Muslim men.

"They say I am not a Muslim and this isn't hijab. We live in a world where people love to play God when it comes to others, and when it comes to themselves, they disregard their own behaviours. It's so sad."

Now as per the Indian Express report, Sara who is roughly four months into her postpartum period is back at it, training gently to lose weight.