Afghan Zakia Khudadadi, who became the first athlete from the refugee team to win a medal at the Paralympics when she clinched a taekwondo bronze, said on Friday (August 30) that she hopes that her achievement will send a strong message.
Khudadadi, who made her Paralympics debut in Tokyo days after being exfiltrated from Taliban-controlled Kabul, secured her place on the podium when her opponent withdrew before their bronze medal bout in the K44-47kg category.
The 25-year-old, who was granted asylum by France, was cheered on like a local throughout the day by the Grand Palais crowd and by her coach, Haby Niare, who took a taekwondo silver medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
“That is what I have been working hard to win the medal, to show something strong in the world, we are refugees but we are positive in the world,” said Khudadadi, who was born with an atrophied arm.
Khudadadi is already looking ahead to the next Games in Los Angeles where she says she intends to compete again.
