Zakia Khudadadi, a Parataekwondo athlete, secures the first medal for the Refugee Paralympic Team

Afghan athlete Zakia Khudadadi made history at the Paris Paralympics by winning a bronze medal in the women’s 47kg category, becoming the first athlete from the Refugee Paralympic Team to do so. Born without one forearm, Khudadadi began practicing taekwondo at age 11 in Afghanistan. Following the rise of the Taliban, she was evacuated and allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympics for her country. She later settled in Paris and was offered the opportunity to compete with the refugee team at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Khudadadi’s victory was a deeply emotional moment for her, dedicated to all the women of Afghanistan and refugees around the world. The French crowd at the Grand Palais cheered her on, and her coach, Haby Niare, a former world taekwondo champion, expressed pride in her remarkable journey and determination. International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons emphasized the significance of Khudadadi’s achievement, highlighting her talent and inspiring story. Khudadadi’s success symbolizes hope and resilience, demonstrating the power of sport to unite people from diverse backgrounds and inspire positive change.

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