Published : 23 Sep 2026, 09:22 PM
Updated : 23 Sep 2026, 09:22 PM
Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, who once dressed as a man to train in secret, has won a silver medal in the women's road race at the Asian Games in Japan, the BBC reports.
The 23-year-old fled Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. She said she had disguised herself during training to avoid being recognised or attacked.
“I always dressed as a man to go to training, wearing two or three different masks so people would not recognise or attack me,” Hashimi previously told Reuters.
Hashimi, who finished seventh in the women's individual time trial on Sunday, described her silver medal as “something special”, per cited in the BBC report. She said she hoped it would inspire women in Afghanistan to pursue their ambitions.
“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 said.
According to the BBC, Hashimi began cycling at 15, following her sister Yulduz into the sport despite the risks in their home province of Faryab. She said she had faced stones being thrown at her while riding.
She now lives and trains in Italy with support from former Italian world champion Alessandra Cappellotto. Hashimi and her sister both competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“This silver medal can show a lot of resilience from Afghan women, and I'm really happy,” Hashimi said to the BBC.
“I never want to give up,” she added, saying she hoped to compete again at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
