Afghan trailblazer Zakia Khudadadi was forced to re-route her way multiple times in search of Paralympics history.
The taekwondo Paralympian became the first Afghan woman to participate at an international event in Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. It was a historic moment as Taliban took over the control of her country with the U.S and NATO withdrawing their troops after 20 years.
However, she had evacuated from her country after the rise of Taliban blocked her to participate at a competition. But a plea to the international committee allowed her to compete for her country.
Khudadadi will be competing under the Refugee Paralympic Team flag at the Paris 2024. And her only motive is to win an inspiring medal for all the women in her country.
“It’s hard for me because I’d like to compete under my country’s flag,” she said. But “life for all girls and women in Afghanistan is forbidden. It’s over. Today, I’m here to win a medal in Paris for them. I want to show strength to all women and girls in Afghanistan.”
The Afghan was born without a forearm and spent most her life hiding her disability. But she began to change her approach once she began to compete.
“Before I started in sports, I protected myself a lot with my arm. But little by little I started showing my arm, but only in the club. Only while competing,” she said.
