A Taekwondo champion from Turkey has sparked a national conversation by challenging stereotypes about women and sport by competing wearing a headscarf.

20-year-old Kubra Dagli, from Istanbul, has been praised for winning a gold medal at the recent World Championships in Lima, Peru, but her clothing choices have managed to eclipse her athletic success.

Both secular and religious elements of Turkish society have strong opinions on Ms Dagli’s position as a sporting role model. As al-Monitor points out, the hijab was frowned upon during modern Turkey’s founding as a secular state, and to many, is seen as a sign of ‘backwardness.’

The reemergence of politicised Islam in the country in recent years has, however, also seen a growing trend towards ‘moral’ anxiety over women’s conduct and propriety, to the extent that in 2014, then-deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said that women shouldn’t smile or laugh in public during Ramadan celebrations, instead remaining “chaste” at all times.

While the conservative-leaning media has mostly praised Ms Dagli’s achievements in showing that “headscarves are not a hindrance,” she has still been pilloried by ultra conservative commentators on social media.

“Why is your head covered, as you already open your legs, enter every position, you can do it with your head uncovered too, this way be sure is more problematic, may Allah give you common sense,” one comment read.

Another advised Ms Dagli her time would be better spent at home, where she could become a champion in reading the Qu’ran instead.

Ms Dagli herself called the criticism “disturbing,” saying in several interviews that she is against discrimination in all its forms, and her professional ability is what matters.

“They don’t speak of my success, but of my headscarf. I don’t want this. Our success should be discussed. We made so much effort... We made our country and our team world champions. This is our joint pride,” she wrote on social media accounts.

In pictures: Iranian women remove their hijabs Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Iranian women remove their hijabs In pictures: Iranian women remove their hijabs Stealthy Freedoms of Iranian Women Women in Iran have been posting pictures of themselves on social media without wearing their hijab, where it has been illegal for a female to leave the house without wearing a headscarf. In pictures: Iranian women remove their hijabs Stealthy Freedoms of Iranian Women This photo was accompanied by: 'After a few years of being away from my nation, I stepped on its vast plains again; not stealthily though. Hoping for the day when all my nation’s women can taste freedom with their whole bodies and souls' In pictures: Iranian women remove their hijabs Stealthy Freedoms of Iranian Women Photos are being posted to the Stealthy Freedoms of Iranian Women Facebook page, which has amassed over 140,000 likes since it was created just a week ago. In pictures: Iranian women remove their hijabs Stealthy Freedoms of Iranian Women "I dream of the day when your eyelids are my cover (rather than veil)." In pictures: Iranian women remove their hijabs Stealthy Freedoms of Iranian Women This woman posted: 'My moments of freedom have always been full of fear. 'This photo was taken in autumn ( in Sorkhehesar Park). My mind was busy with freedom; but my body all trembled with fear.' In pictures: Iranian women remove their hijabs Stealthy Freedoms of Iranian Women Iran's president Hassan Rouhani has expressed more progressive views than his predecessors since his election. On the subject of the strict Islamic dress code that includes the hijab, he said he was against a crackdown on women wearing looser clothing in the sweltering summers. In pictures: Iranian women remove their hijabs Stealthy Freedoms of Iranian Women These women said their greatest 'girlish dream' is feeling the wind blow through their hair In pictures: Iranian women remove their hijabs Stealthy Freedoms of Iranian Women "I took this one single photo in the yard of Golestan Palace quietly,stealthily, with difficulty, and away from the eyes of the guards." In pictures: Iranian women remove their hijabs Stealthy Freedoms of Iranian Women "I'm a woman from a country with the least respect for human rights. I was born in a country where religion , tradition, and Islamic Regime has destroyed the beauty. I can see the freedom I will have gained soon. And I’ll enjoy the feeling of belonging to myself. I’ll enjoy my rights as a citizen. I’ll enjoy human rights. I’ll enjoy having freedom of choice ." In pictures: Iranian women remove their hijabs Stealthy Freedoms of Iranian Women The site is dedicated to Iranian women inside the country "who want to share their 'stealthily' taken photos without the veil."

The champion said headscarves are permitted by international bodies overseeing the sport - although once in 2013 she had to wear a bandana instead - and the biggest challenge she faces is training during the month of Ramadan, when Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink in daylight hours.

Asu Maro, a columnist from daily newspaper Milliyet, offered Ms Dagli her support.