Tina Rahimi champions change with every punch

Australian boxer Tina Rahimi has earned her place in the sport through hard work and resilience – but her greatest win has been finding a passion and purpose.

The 28-year-old became trailblazer for Muslim women in sport before stepping into the influencer space and securing brand deals with Rebel and Nike. 

“It all happened really, really naturally,” she said at AdNews’ inaugural Champions of Change on Thursday night. 

“I was just sharing my journey online, on social media, you know, all the ups, all the downs, just being very real with my followers. 

“Steph, from Born Bred Talent, reached out and said she wanted to work with me. It's been amazing so far. I can really connect with brands and people who see my vision.

“I'm so grateful that they were happy to work with someone like me, who looks different.” 

Rahimi first tried boxing at her local gym in 2017 with the goal of building up her fitness. 

Six months later she jumped into the ring for her first amateur fight. 

“I’m a massive foodie. I think everyone that follows me on social media knows that,” she said. 

“I started to gain a bit of weight needed to start something that will really encourage me to keep showing up every day. That’s where I started boxing. It was the most random decision.” 

Rahimi quickly realised her natural talent for the sport and became obsessed with improving. 

“It’s like a game of chess for me. I felt like it really made my mind think, and I just enjoyed it. 

“I had my first fight and it just made me hungrier. I’d be at work searching ‘how to be a better boxer’ on YouTube. That’s all I was thinking about. I just wanted to be the best.”

In 2022, Rahimi became the first female Muslim boxer to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games – and returned with a bronze medal. 

Rahimi struggled with disordered eating, which tested her resilience both inside and outside the ring. 

“I think a lot of athletes, especially boxers, really struggle with this, because we’re in a weight making sport,” she said. 

“It became really challenging for me to the point where I felt like I needed to seek help.

“My focus wasn’t on competing or performing as an athlete, it was just about how I looked and my weight.” 

Rahimi said qualifying for the Paris Olympics was her proudest moment. 

“That was probably the biggest milestone for me, because even though I was confident, I still had my doubts,” she said. 

“We were in Solomon Islands and it was seriously hot. We were staying in classrooms, no air-conditioning. 

“I was like, ‘Am I going to be able to compete because?’ I’m not feeling that well with this layer of clothes, but I won and it was the happiest moment of my life.”

Rahimi wears tights, long sleeves and a hijab under her protective headgear in competition. 

She hopes to pave the way for athletes from diverse backgrounds by staying true to her values despite regulatory hurdles. 

“I have to do checks before I compete in different countries. I have to get approved with my hijab because it's not seen as often,” she said. 

“I feel like we're definitely headed in the right direction but there’s always room for improvement. 

“Just being a representation of that opens up more opportunities for others to see and think, ‘if she can do it, then I can too’. 

“The more people from different faiths, however they look, showing up and showing their true talents opens up more opportunities for everyone.” 

Rahimi said the lessons learned in the ring, particularly hard work and passion, have influenced her life outside of sport.

“Once I found that passion and drive for boxing, it allowed me to really strive and not worry about the losses I had, even the wins, everything just became a blank space.

“It was more about seeing the end of goal and just the love that I had for it didn’t allow me to stop at anything. 

“I feel like if I could do that with boxing, if I could truly enjoy it and give it my all, then eventually everything would work out for me. And that’s what happened.

Never in my life did I imagine myself as an Olympian. Sometimes I even forget, well, not really forget, but because I’m constantly around athletes, it just feels normal. Then I talk to other people and realise, wow, it’s a massive achievement.”

Rahimi has her sights set on taking the next steps in her boxing career. 

“I definitely want to have turn professionals and have a few pro fights,” she said.

“Then try for the Commonwealth Games again next year and hopefully qualify and go to Scotland.”