Disguised as a man, fled the Taliban – and won a silver medal at the Asian Games

Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, 23, won a silver medal at the Asian Games. Hashimi, who grew up under Taliban rule, disguised herself as a man to train, fled her country with the help of a former world champion, and now lives in Italy. She competed in the games with the assistance of the Japanese women's cycling team.

Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, 23, won a silver medal today (Tuesday) at the Asian Games. Hashimi, born in Afghanistan during the period of American control, grew up in a rural area where women's rights were not recognized, and therefore could not engage in sports. To fulfill her dream, she disguised herself as a man and trained in cycling. After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Hashimi fled her country with the help of former world champion cyclist, Italian Alessandra Cappello, and moved to Italy, where she continued training and even participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now, with the assistance of the Japanese women's cycling team, she participated in the Asian Games and finished second. Hashimi said she cannot explain her feelings, recalled how she was pelted with stones in the past, and noted that she was born in a country where women who dare to dream are attacked. She expressed hope that the next generation will represent their country without fear, and added that the silver medal shows great resilience among Afghan women, and that behind her stand millions of women with the same dream.