Article: Zeina Nassar – How a Berlin Boxer Changed Women’s Sports
Zeina Nassar – How a Berlin Boxer Changed Women’s Sports
Zeina Nassar is not just a boxer. She is a woman who has fought battles not only in the ring – but also with federations, in conversations with officials, and within a system that was never designed to include her. Today, women around the world are allowed to box wearing a hijab because Zeina never stopped fighting.
Zeina is Caramella’s brand ambassador for the Fitjab. Not because it makes for a good story, but because it is rooted in a shared belief: women who choose to cover should never have to compromise in sports.
Who is Zeina Nassar?
Zeina Nassar was born in 1998 in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Her parents are from Lebanon. She grew up in a neighborhood that shaped her: diverse, loud, and full of life. At the age of 13, she randomly came across a YouTube video of women boxing.
"By chance, a friend and I watched videos of women boxing online. It inspired me so much because I had never seen anything like it before. And I thought: Okay, if they can do it, then I can do it too." – Zeina Nassar
Right in Kreuzberg, she found the club Boxgirls Berlin – a boxing gym that allowed her to train from day one wearing a hijab, long sleeves, and leggings. No one questioned it.
The first fight – and the first obstacle
Before her first official competition came the first shock. Her coach confronted her: the competition regulations in Germany did not include clothing options for the hijab. Technically, Zeina was not allowed to compete.
Zeina’s response was clear: with a hijab, no matter what. Her coach ensured she could compete in Berlin wearing it – a local exception that laid the foundation for everything that followed.
Zeina became a multiple Berlin champion in boxing. In 2018, she won the German National Championship in the 57 kg weight class. The next step was the national team and the European Championship – and the next setback.
The international rule change: how Zeina transformed boxing
In 2018, Zeina was nominated for the European Championship. Then came the news: the international regulations of AIBA (International Boxing Association) banned the hijab in international competition. No exceptions, no discussion.
What followed was not retreat. Zeina fought – with words, with persistence, with her team. In February 2019, the International Boxing Association changed its global regulations: since then, women are officially allowed to compete internationally wearing a hijab and appropriate full-body coverage.
This means: every woman who steps into a boxing ring today wearing a hijab – nationally or internationally – stands on the ground Zeina fought for.
Dream Big – the book
In 2020, Zeina’s book "Dream Big: How I Fought My Way Through Boxing Against All Odds" was published by Carl Hanser Verlag. It is not a typical sports biography, but an honest, sometimes raw portrait of a young woman determined to follow her own path – in a system that does not always make it easy.
The book reflects Zeina’s own voice: direct, reflective, sometimes philosophical. She writes about her family, setbacks, moments of doubt – and what kept her going. A must-read that goes far beyond sports.
Zeina’s life motto is summed up perfectly: "Fighting is not about winning or losing, it's about learning."
Zeina today: professional boxer, academic, role model
Zeina Nassar studies education and sociology at the University of Potsdam as a scholarship holder of the German National Academic Foundation. She appears as a moderator, campaign ambassador, and actress. She is actively committed to equal opportunities in education and gender equality.
In November 2025, Zeina made her professional debut – in Lahore, Pakistan. The next step in a career that is far from over.
Zeina Nassar and the Fitjab: why it’s a perfect match
Zeina’s story reflects the journey of every Muslim woman who wants to do sports without compromise. The Fitjab was created from exactly this belief: pinless, functional, made in Germany, and sustainable.
Zeina wears the Fitjab during training because it delivers what it promises. No slipping, no pressure, no risk. Exactly what you need when you want to focus on what matters most: the fight.
What makes the Fitjab technically unique is explained in this article: [INTERNAL LINK: Fitjab – the pinless sports hijab for maximum freedom of movement]. And why materials and production matter: [INTERNAL LINK: Made in Germany – why quality and sustainability matter in sports hijabs].
What we can learn from Zeina Nassar
Zeina’s story is not a fairy tale about an exceptional athlete who somehow made it. It is a real example of what happens when you stop adapting – and start changing the system.
• System rules can be changed – if you are persistent enough.
• Identity and performance are not mutually exclusive. Together, they are stronger.
• Role models are not created by perfect careers, but by real stories.
As a Muslim athlete, as a hijabi, as a woman with ambition: Zeina Nassar has shown that your place in the ring is not given – it is earned. The same applies to your place in the gym, on the track, and in the yoga studio.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Zeina Nassar?
Zeina Nassar is a German professional boxer, born in 1998 in Berlin-Kreuzberg to Lebanese parents. She is a multiple Berlin champion and German national champion in boxing. In 2019, she successfully pushed for a rule change allowing women worldwide to compete in boxing with a hijab.
What has Zeina Nassar achieved?
Among other achievements: multiple Berlin champion, German champion 2018 (57 kg), AIBA rule change 2019 (hijab allowed in international boxing), author of "Dream Big" (2020), Nike campaign ambassador, actress, and professional debut in November 2025.
What is the book "Dream Big" by Zeina Nassar?
"Dream Big: How I Fought My Way Through Boxing Against All Odds" is Zeina’s autobiography, published in 2020 by Carl Hanser Verlag. It tells her journey from her first boxing training to the international rule change – honest, direct, and inspiring.
Why is Zeina Nassar a brand ambassador for Caramella?
Because Zeina’s story and Caramella’s product share the same belief: Muslim women should never have to choose between faith and performance in sports. The Fitjab is pinless, functional, and made in Germany – exactly what you need for serious training.
You can find the complete sports hijab guide here: [INTERNAL LINK: Sports Hijab – The complete guide for active Muslim women].
Discover the Fitjab – Zeina’s choice for intense training – now on bycaramella.com.
Caramella – Made in Germany
Fitjab™ – Pinless Sports Hijab
Sustainable materials · Pinless · Designed for every sport
