05/06/2026
Zainab Hijawi, from South Central High School, was named the 2026 Olivia Neal award as the top female senior wrestler in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Zainab is the first female in Pitt County history to win a women’s wrestling state championship and the first ever full covered (hijabi) female wrestler champion in the history of NC. This is a huge achievement as she was determined to break stereotypes and social boundaries in sports for females.
Zainab “ZoZo” Hijawi is not just winning matches—she’s making history.
During her freshman year, In less than four months of wrestling, she became a state qualifier, and soon after, ranked top 6 in North Carolina in her weight class before she became a State Runner-Up and eventually a Champion—breaking barriers in one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
Her path has never been easy. ZoZo has competed through serious injuries, including breaking her nose twice, and injuring her knee, refusing to step off the mat. Behind the scenes, her commitment shows through relentless training, long travel on a daily basis, and a mindset built strong and solid. But her impact goes beyond medals, she represents discipline, identity, and the courage to stand alone and win showing that this sport has a place for everyone, especially every female regardless of her background, race and religion.
She is truly Built Different.
