Zakia Khudadadi made history at the Paris Paralympics by becoming the first athlete from the Refugee Paralympic Team to win a medal. Competing in the women’s 47kg Taekwondo category, Khudadadi won bronze after defeating Turkey’s Ekinci Nurcihan. The moment the final buzzer sounded, she erupted in joy, throwing her helmet and mouthpiece into the air. Khudadadi expressed that winning the medal was a surreal moment, especially considering the challenges she had faced to get to this point. She dedicated her victory to the women of Afghanistan and all refugees around the world, hoping for peace in her home country.
Born without one forearm, Khudadadi started practicing taekwondo in secret at the age of 11 in her hometown of Herat, Afghanistan. Following the rise of the Taliban in 2021, she was initially blocked from competing but was later evacuated from Afghanistan and allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympics for her country after international intervention. After settling in Paris, she was invited to compete with the refugee team at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Khudadadi emphasized the significance of the medal to her and expressed gratitude for the support she received from the crowd during the competition.
The atmosphere at the Grand Palais in Paris during Khudadadi’s match was electric, with the French crowd cheering her on enthusiastically. Since fleeing Afghanistan, Khudadadi has been training at INSEP, France’s national institute of sport, under the guidance of her French coach Haby Niare, a former taekwondo world champion. Niare praised Khudadadi’s determination and resilience, describing her as “magical” and highlighting her commitment to her goal despite facing injuries and challenges during the training process.
Khudadadi was presented with her bronze medal by U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons. Parsons commended Khudadadi for showcasing her talent and skills to the world, emphasizing the importance of her achievement for the Refugee Paralympic Team. Reflecting on her journey, Khudadadi expressed her gratitude for the support she received and the opportunity to compete on such a prestigious stage. The medal holds great significance for her and represents the culmination of her dedication and hard work.
The success of Zakia Khudadadi at the Paris Paralympics serves as a testament to her resilience, determination, and dedication to her sport despite facing numerous obstacles along the way. Her historic achievement as the first athlete from the Refugee Paralympic Team to win a medal has not only brought her individual recognition but has also shed light on the plight of refugees and the power of sport to inspire and unite people from all backgrounds. Khudadadi’s journey from practicing taekwondo in secret in Afghanistan to standing on the podium in Paris exemplifies the transformative power of sports in the face of adversity.
