Afghan cyclist who escaped Taliban wins Asian Games medal

Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, who fled her homeland after the Taliban regained power, clinched a silver medal in the women’s road race at the Asian Games. The 23-year-old had to pose as a man during her training to protect herself and faced attacks with stones and bottles in her early career. Hashimi and her sister Yulduz, also a professional cyclist, escaped Afghanistan to Italy following the Taliban’s return in 2021.

They have since competed in the Paris Olympics of 2024. At the Asian Games, Hashimi finished seventh in the women’s time trial. She expressed her joy at winning the silver medal, stating she hopes her achievements will inspire other girls and women under the Taliban’s oppressive regime to pursue their sporting dreams. Hashimi said, "I can’t explain my feelings now.

I was born inside a country where the women who dream are getting attacked, and I’m really happy that I have fought against that." She added, "I hope that the next generation will come here and represent their country without any fear." Hashimi aims to compete at the LA Olympics in 2028 and expressed her gratitude to the Japanese team for their support during the Games in Nagoya, Japan, where she fixed her own bike.