Zakia Khudadadi: Historic Paralympic Triumph for Refugee Team

Zakia Khudadadi, an Afghan refugee, made history at the Paris Paralympics by becoming the first athlete from the Refugee Paralympic Team to win a medal. After a challenging journey, she won bronze in the women's 47kg taekwondo category, dedicating her victory to Afghan women and global refugees.

Zakia Khudadadi made history at the Paris Paralympics, becoming the first athlete from the Refugee Paralympic Team to secure a medal.

Khudadadi clinched bronze in the women's 47kg category by defeating Turkey's Ekinci Nurcihan. The moment the final buzzer echoed through the Grand Palais in central Paris, Khudadadi was overjoyed, tossing her helmet and mouthpiece into the air.

“It was a surreal moment,” Khudadadi said, her voice quivering with emotion. “This medal represents all the women of Afghanistan and refugees worldwide. I hope for peace in my country one day.”

Khudadadi began practicing taekwondo secretly at 11 in a concealed gym in Herat, Afghanistan. After facing initial barriers to competition due to the Taliban's rise, she was evacuated and allowed to compete in the Tokyo Olympics.

Now based in Paris, she trained at France's national institute of sport with former taekwondo world champion Haby Niare. “Zakia has been magical,” Niare stated. “Despite many challenges, she never lost sight of her goal.”

Receiving her medal from U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons, Khudadadi's achievement was hailed as a significant milestone for the Refugee Paralympic Team.