Fariba Hashimi, a 23-year-old cyclist from Afghanistan, earned a silver medal in the women’s road race at the Asian Games on Tuesday near Nagoya in Japan. Her achievement comes after she previously fled Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
Before leaving her country, Hashimi trained in disguise out of necessity, wearing multiple masks and male clothing to avoid attacks while riding her bicycle. She began cycling at age 15 in her home province of Faryab despite the dangers faced by female athletes. During her time in Afghanistan, she endured harassment including having stones thrown at her while training.
Hashimi now resides and trains in Italy with support from Italian former world champion Alessandra Cappellotto. She described her Asian Games medal as “something special” and emphasized that it demonstrates resilience from Afghan women. The cyclist expressed hope that her success might inspire other women in Afghanistan to pursue their dreams without fear.
Hashimi’s sister Yulduz is also an international cyclist, and the two competed together at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Both siblings are now targeting participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Reflecting on her achievement, Hashimi stated that her medal represents not just her personal effort but the aspirations of millions of women globally facing similar obstacles, and she voiced her commitment to continuing her athletic career.
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