KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Zakia Khudadadi, an Afghan-French athlete, won the gold medal for the second time at the European Para Taekwondo Championships.
On Monday (May 11), Zakia defeated opponents from Italy, Georgia, and Turkey to secure first place.
She competed in the 47-kilogram weight category, representing France in the competition.
The 2026 European Taekwondo and Para Taekwondo Championships began on Monday and will continue until Thursday this week.
Khudadadi, who has now obtained French citizenship, had previously won a gold medal in these championships in 2023.
She is also the first Afghan woman to win a medal at the Paralympic Games, achieving this historic milestone in 2024.
Moreover, this latest achievement adds to a growing list of international recognitions for Khudadadi. Six months ago, she received the North-South Prize of the Council of Europe, one of Europe’s most prestigious human rights awards, during an official ceremony at the Portuguese Parliament.
At the time, she dedicated the award to refugees, Afghan women, and athletes striving for a better future, describing it as a symbol of hope, resilience, and perseverance.
Alongside Khudadadi, the International Paralympic Committee and the Olympic Refugee Foundation were also recognized for their work supporting displaced athletes and fostering inclusion through sport.
Khudadadi drew international attention after fleeing her country just days before the Tokyo 2020 Games, a dangerous journey that led her to settle in France, where she has lived since.
At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Khudadadi made history when she won a bronze medal in Para taekwondo, marking the first time a member of the Refugee Paralympic Team has earned a medal.
The athlete says she uses her platform to advocate for refugees and promote empowerment through sports.
Zakia Khudadadi’s latest European championship victory comes at a time when millions of girls and women in Afghanistan remain deprived of their most basic rights, including access to education, work, and participation in public life.
While Afghan women inside the country continue to face severe restrictions and systematic exclusion, Khudadadi’s triumph on the international stage stands as a powerful symbol of resilience and possibility. Her success is not only a personal achievement but also a reminder of the talent, strength, and potential of Afghan women who, despite immense barriers, continue to inspire the world through their determination and refusal to surrender their dreams.
Therefore, her continued success both on and off the field highlights her remarkable determination, making her an inspiring symbol of achievement for Afghan women and para-athletes around the world.
