Afghan Cyclist Hashimi Wins Asian Games Silver
Afghan Cyclist Hashimi Wins Asian Games Silver
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Hashimi began cycling at age 15 in Faryab province and said she wore two or three masks while disguising herself as a man so people would not recognize or attack her; she recalled stones being thrown at her head and bottles being hurled at her.
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Hashimi said she has not seen her family for a long time and described it as sad that she cannot live in Afghanistan, adding that returning to inspire her people remains a major dream.
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Hashimi and her sister reached Italy with help from Alessandra Cappellotto, the 1997 road-cycling world champion; both sisters later competed at the Paris Olympics and Hashimi said she hoped to continue through the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
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Hashimi said the medal showed that Afghan women are “still alive and still fighting,” while UNESCO estimates that 2.4 million Afghan girls have been excluded from secondary education since the Taliban’s return to power.
Fariba Hashimi, an Afghan cyclist who trained in disguise as a man to avoid violent attacks, won silver in the women's road race at the Asian Games in Japan. Hindustan Times The 23-year-old's achievement marks Afghanistan's first female medal at the Asian Games since 2002 and comes after she fled her country when the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Now based in Italy, Hashimi described the medal as 'something special' that represents Afghan women's resilience. BBC News She said she hopes the achievement inspires the next generation to 'come here and represent their country without any fear' — a stark contrast to the restrictions Afghan women face today, with UNESCO estimating 2.4 million girls excluded from secondary education since the Taliban's return.
Training in Disguise Under Taliban Threat
Hashimi began cycling at age 15 in Afghanistan's Faryab province but faced constant danger. Nile Post She wore two or three masks to hide her identity, terrified that people would recognize and attack her. Stones and bottles were thrown at her head during training rides. The threats forced her to flee Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power in 2021.
Hashimi has not seen her family in a long time and calls it 'sad' that she cannot live in her homeland. Economic Times Despite her success abroad, returning home to inspire her people remains a major dream she holds.
From Italy to the Olympic Stage
Hashimi and her sister Yulduz reached Italy with help from Alessandra Cappellotto, the 1997 road-cycling world champion. Hindustan Times Both sisters later competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics, breaking through on the international cycling circuit. Hashimi finished seventh in the Asian Games individual time trial before capturing silver in the road race.
She aims to continue competing through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Italian-based cyclist has transformed from hiding her identity to racing openly on the world's biggest stages.
Afghan Women 'Still Alive and Still Fighting'
Hashimi said her medal shows that Afghan women are 'still alive and still fighting' despite Taliban rule. BBC News The silver represents hope for a generation facing unprecedented restrictions on education, work, and public life. Her achievement stands as a powerful symbol of resistance and determination.
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