Fariba Hashimi wins silver at Asian Games

Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi won a silver medal in the women’s road race at the Asian Games near Nagoya, Japan. This achievement follows her seventh-place finish in the individual time trial earlier in the competition.

Hashimi, 23, fled Afghanistan for Italy after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. She and her sister, Yulduz, previously faced significant hardships in their homeland, including having to disguise themselves as men and facing physical attacks, such as being pelted with stones, while attempting to train.

Competing with minimal technical support, Hashimi noted that she acted as her own mechanic, receiving assistance from the Japanese team to maintain her equipment. She stated that her performance is intended to symbolize the resilience of Afghan women and to inspire future generations to compete without fear.