Zakia Khudadadi Achieves Historic Bronze Medal for Refugee Paralympic Team at Paris 2024

Sports John Brightwater August 31, 2024

Zakia Khudadadi Achieves Historic Bronze Medal for Refugee Paralympic Team at Paris 2024

PARIS (AP) — In a remarkable achievement for the Refugee Paralympic Team, Zakia Khudadadi made history on August 29, 2024, at the Paris Paralympics by securing the first-ever medal for her team. Competing in the women’s 47kg category in Para Taekwondo, Khudadadi captured a bronze medal after a hard-fought victory against Turkey’s Ekinci Nurcihan. Upon the conclusion of the match, an overwhelming surge of emotion took hold as Khudadadi jubilantly tossed her helmet and mouthpiece into the air, celebrating her momentous victory.

Reflecting on the experience, Khudadadi expressed, “It was a surreal moment, my heart started racing when I realized I had won the bronze. I went through so much to get here. This medal is for all the women of Afghanistan and all the refugees of the world. I hope that one day there will be peace in my country.”

Born without one forearm, Khudadadi began her journey in taekwondo at the tender age of eleven, training clandestinely in her hometown of Herat, Afghanistan. Her path was fraught with obstacles, especially following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, which initially barred her from competition. However, Khudadadi’s unwavering spirit led to her evacuation from Afghanistan and subsequent participation in the Tokyo Olympics, a development made possible through international advocacy.

After relocating to Paris, she trained at INSEP, France’s national sports institute, under the guidance of Haby Niare, a former taekwondo world champion. Niare praised Khudadadi’s dedication, stating, “Zakia has been magical. The training process has been challenging. She faced a lot of injuries, but she never lost sight of her goal.”

The atmosphere at the Grand Palais during her competition was charged with excitement, as the French spectators cheered her on fervently, treating her akin to one of their own.

Following her competition, Khudadadi received her bronze medal from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, and Andrew Parsons, the President of the International Paralympic Committee. Parsons remarked on the significance of Khudadadi’s triumph stating, “For the Refugee Paralympic Team, it is super special and super important. Zakia just showed the world how good she is. It is an incredible journey, and we should all learn from it.”

In conclusion, Zakia Khudadadi’s bronze medal not only marks a historic milestone for the Refugee Paralympic Team but also serves as an inspiring testament to resilience and hope for refugees around the world. Her achievement underscores the profound impact of perseverance and commitment in the face of adversity.