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NAGOYA, Japan (AP) — Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi secured a silver medal in the women's cycling road race at the Asian Games, overcoming significant challenges in training her home country. The primary difficulty was disguising herself as a man to avoid potential violence against women in Afghanistan, where women's rights are limited.

Hashimi recounted, "All the time when I was going to training, I was dressing as a guy." She also hid her face when possible to prevent recognition, as being recognized sometimes led to threats like being pelted with stones or assaulted. Hashimi's journey began in 2021 when the Taliban took control of her country, prompting her to flee due to her desire to pursue her cycling aspirations.

She explained, "In 2021, when the Taliban moved into my country, I escaped my country because I wanted to follow my dream... I want to show the Afghanistan women in the world that ... we can have an opportunity." Despite her current success, Hashimi remains hopeful for a brighter future for women in Afghanistan. She expressed her happiness and emotional state upon winning the medal, stating, "I’m really, really happy and I’m full of emotion.

I don’t know how I can explain it for you." Hashimi hopes to return to her home country and ride alongside other women on the streets of Kabul, sharing her passion for cycling. She also hopes to see changes in her country's treatment of women and believes that women can be powerful forces for change, which might scare the Taliban.