Zakia Khudadadi, who fled Afghanistan when the Taliban overtook power, won a taekwondo gold medal at the 2023 European Para Championships.
Competing as a refugee athlete for the refugee team in Rotterdam, Khudadadi beat defending champion Nurcihan Ekinci of Turkey in the women’s under-47 kg final at the Rotterdam Ahoy, Netherlands.
For Khudadadi, it was a remarkable moment as she claimed her first European title, two years after leaving her home country.
An emotional Khudadadi told Inside the Games that she was “so happy” for the win before dedicating the victory to women and girls in Afghanistan, who are banned from playing sports under the Taliban rule.
“I’m just so happy, really happy,” she said holding back her tears. “I’m the first handicapped woman from Afghanistan to win [a gold medal like this].”
“And for my country also, because for women it would be big [if I win a medal], it would be a message for every woman in Afghanistan.”
Before arriving in France where she was trained under a French coach, Khudadadi took a flight to the Japanese capital where she competed at the Tokyo Paralympics and carried the Afghanistan flag at the Closing Ceremony.
The European Para win, she said, was “very important” and that she remains determined to go for more.
“Now, I’m continuing for every competition, more medals,” Khudadadi said. “I will continue strong for Paris 2024.”
Two years since the Taliban takeover, the group has since imposed severe restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights and freedom, including a ban on sports. Many athletes like Khudadadi were forced to flee the country to safety.
