Caitlyn Bobb has opened up about her faith and learning to race in a hijab as she reflects on one of the biggest wins in her collegiate athletics career.

Bobb, 22, raised her hands immediately to the heavens in prayer after setting a Bermuda record of 51.11sec when winning the 400 metres at the Atlantic Conference Championships last weekend, and the Bermudian sprinter credits her conversion to Islam three years ago as the turning point in her life on and off the track.

“My faith is the pinnacle and the most important thing to me,” she said.

“I’m Muslim and I’m always nervous before a race, but I know only God’s glory and grace will carry me around that track. I was just very grateful I made it across the line in one piece. I won and it was a fast time, so immediately I had to give my praise.”

Bobb is one of just a few female college track and field athletes to compete in a hijab and, after making the decision just two months ago to wear one when racing, she has made the necessary adjustments to conform to her religious beliefs.

“I made the decision to become a hijabi because it signifies my closeness with God and my protection,” Bobb said.

“It stops eyes being on me in that sexually demeaning way I feel women are looked at sometimes. It’s always been at my discretion, but it feels very natural. Nothing has been forced and ever since I made the decision, I have had so much success.

“At first it was an adjustment as I was just a normal person. I could take my shirt off at practice, run in a sports bra and compete in short shorts, but now I really put my faith in front of my feelings and I don’t feel that it’s restricting.

“I wear long tights and a long shirt so not much of my skin is shown. It does get quite hot and before my recent win when I warmed up, I felt like I was about to pass out, but that’s why you’ll see me walk around with an ice bag on my neck or a cool towel.

“I do sweat more than my competitors because of the clothes I wear, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love competing in it and I feel like I’m one of the only ones that does it, so it’s really nice.”

Bobb’s enthusiasm is infectious and you sense that her recent personal best is just her latest layer of joy since she made the decision to leave the University of Maryland for Virginia Tech last summer.

“I am very blessed because not everybody gets it right when they feel that the grass is greener on the other side and continues to have success when they transfer,” Bobb said.

“My coach and I have made it a point for this year, my last in NCAA, to be the best year ever and I’m glad the hard work in the fall and the winter is coming to fruition.”

There could even be better to come from Bobb as she closes in on the World Championships qualifying time of 50.75, with her national record coming at the end of a race she feels she could have executed better.

“I’m very excited and I did not know that I was going to run this fast this early,” Bobb said.

“I’ve been praying for this moment and I’ve been training for it, but even though it was a fast time it wasn’t the best execution of a race, so I have to go back to the drawing board because I can execute better than that.

“My coach when I first came here said that we could run 50-something. The qualifying standard for World Outdoors Championships is 50.75, so I’m pretty close to that but seeing the ease of this past weekend and that it wasn’t that strenuous to run 51.1, the sky really is the limit.

“I’ll continue to pray and put God first, but stay tuned because I think there are some fast times coming.”

Bobb has a professional career and the chance to compete at major events within her grasp, and she could take the next step from May 28 to 31 in the NCAA Championships East Regional at the University of North Florida, in Jacksonville.

“I have to get through two rounds of that and prayerfully I will make it through,” she said. “Two weeks after that [from June 11 to 14] we have NCAAs in Oregon.

“I have never run this fast before, so it’s been very nice and a huge confidence-booster that I have got what it takes. Even though I’m young for the track and I have a lot of years in front of me, I have the attitude that I’m going to progress and succeed.”