Afghan Cyclist Wins Silver Medal at Asian Games

Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, who once pretended to be a man to ride in Afghanistan, has won a silver medal in the women’s road race at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Hashimi finished second in the road race final at the Shinshiro Cycling Road Course in Aichi Prefecture on Tuesday, according to Amu TV.

China’s Guo Li took home the gold medal, while Leung Wing Yee from Hong Kong won bronze.

This silver medal came just two days after Hashimi placed seventh in the women’s individual time trial, where she competed against 14 other riders.

The 23-year-old finished the 24.2-kilometre time trial course two minutes and three seconds behind Kazakhstan’s Rinata Sultanova, who won the event, Amu TV reported.

Hashimi’s path to the Asian Games podium has been filled with dangers while she chased her cycling dreams in Afghanistan.

According to Reuters, Hashimi started cycling at 15, inspired by her sister Yulduz. She had to disguise herself as a man to train in her home province of Faryab.

“I always dressed as a man to go to training, wearing two or three different masks so people would not recognize or attack me. I was scared of them finding me,” Hashimi told Reuters.

She also shared that stones and bottles were thrown at her while she and her sister trained.

“I sometimes had a big stone thrown at my head. People were throwing bottles at me. They were trying to make us go home by being aggressive and attacking us,” she said.

After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Hashimi left Afghanistan and now lives in Italy.

Women and girls in Afghanistan have faced strict limits on education, jobs, movement, and participation in public life.

In Italy, Hashimi and Yulduz continued their careers. The sisters later represented Afghanistan at the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to Reuters.

Looking back on her journey, Hashimi said her participation is about more than just her own success.

“For me it’s not just about my performance but showing my country a woman in this situation. We are still alive and still fighting,” she said.

Hashimi also hopes Afghan girls will one day be able to chase their dreams and compete internationally from their own country.

“I hope something can change so the next generation can come from inside of the country to compete at the Asian Games, exploring the world and winning medals,” she said.

Hashimi’s silver medal in the road race marks Afghanistan’s latest success at the Asian Games, following her seventh-place finish in the individual time trial.