Afghan cyclist who disguised herself as man wins Asian Games silver

Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, who disguised herself as a man to pursue her dreams, clinched a silver medal at the Asian Games on Tuesday. The 23-year-old, residing in Italy, expressed her joy, stating that the victory was "something special." Hashimi recalled the challenges she faced as a teenager, including being attacked with stones while training disguised as a man alongside her sister Yulduz, also a pro cyclist.

Hashimi emphasized her happiness in overcoming the Taliban's restrictions on women's freedoms, including in sports. The Taliban, which returned to power in 2021, has imposed strict rules that have limited women's access to education and public life. Hashimi, originally from Faryab province, fled Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover and has since been training in Italy with the support of Italian cyclist Alessandra Cappellotto.

She highlighted the resilience of Afghan women, noting that the silver medal symbolizes their strength and determination. Hashimi expressed gratitude to the Japanese team for their assistance, as they helped her fix her bike during the competition, as she had to perform all the mechanical tasks herself. She remains hopeful about the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Games, eager to see more Afghan women represent their country without fear.