Zakia Kadadi Makes History at Par Olympic Games

On the inaugural day of the Par Olympic Games in Paris, a momentous event transpired when Zakia Kadadi made history by becoming the first athlete from the refugee team to win a medal. Born in Afghanistan without a forearm, Kadadi clinched a bronze in taekwondo, dedicating her remarkable achievement to women in Afghanistan and all refugees around the world. Kadadi, 25, started training in taekwondo at the young age of 11 and previously represented Afghanistan at the Tokyo 2021 Par Olympics. However, when the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan, bans on women's sports led to a significant turning point in her life. She was evacuated to France as a refugee, where she has since trained diligently with French coaches. Her triumph, defeating her Turkish contender, sparked immense joy among Afghans and additional emotional reactions from Afghan women, both in exile and still living under Taliban rule. Prominent figures, including women's rights activist Fisha Basi and former MP Mariam Suan K, expressed gratitude and pride across social media. This victory was not just a personal achievement for Kadadi, but a symbol of hope and resilience for Afghan women facing oppressive restrictions back home. While celebrations erupted within the diaspora, many women in Afghanistan refrained from showing overt joy due to fears of retribution amidst the current regime's stringent laws. The Afghan Refugee team is widely dispersed in Paris, contributing to a compelling narrative of survival and determination in the face of adversity.