Zakia Khudadadi made history on Thursday, August 29, by becoming the first-ever Refugee Paralympic Team medalist to win a bronze medal in women's Taekwondo in Paris.
Competing in the women's -47 kg category, Khudadadi secured the bronze by defeating Turkey’s Ekinci Nurcihan.
The achievement marks a significant milestone in Khudadadi’s journey as she dedicated her win and medal to women and refugees
She said: "It was a surreal moment, my heart started racing when I realized I had won the bronze. I went through so much to get here.
This medal is for all the women of Afghanistan and all the refugees of the world. I hope that one day there will be peace in my country.”
The 25-year-old medalist was born without a forearm, according to reports she was included in an escape from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan years ago.
Reports indicated that Zakia Khudadadi represented Afghanistan in Taekwondo at the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics. However, Afghanistan did not send female athletes to the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
A recent report by the United Nations highlighted that the Taliban's restrictions have severely limited access to work, travel, and healthcare for many Afghan women, forcing most female athletes in Afghanistan to train in secrecy.
It was gathered that during the summer of 2021, as the U.S. military withdrew and the Taliban regained control, Khudadadi realised her Paralympic ambitions would be jeopardized under the re-imposed Sharia Law.
She made a heartfelt plea to the international community in a viral video, seeking assistance to escape Afghanistan to participate in the Tokyo Paralympics.
Khudadadi was eventually smuggled out of Afghanistan by unknown individuals and flown to Tokyo, where she was able to compete for her home country.
According to reports, she was dressed in a white hijab for the opening match of the combat sport's Paralympic debut.
Although the 25-year-old did not medal, she became the first Afghan woman to appear at the Games since 2004 and second since 1960.
Khudadadi did not return to Afghanistan after the Tokyo Games. She later moved to France, where she trained for the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Her dedication paid off with a bronze medal at the Paris Games.
Looking ahead, Khudadadi plans to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
