Aichi-Nagoya 2026 - Road Cycling - Women's Road Race - Final - September 22, 2026.
China's Li Guo and Afghanistan's Fariba Hashimi in action.
Silver medallist Afghanistan's Fariba Hashimi stands on the podium during the victory ceremony.
Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, who disguised herself as a man to pursue cycling as a teenager, won the silver medal in the women's road race at the Asian Games in Japan on Tuesday and said she hopes her achievement inspires women in Afghanistan.The 23-year-old, who is now based in Italy, finished second in the race near Nagoya and described the medal as "something special".
Watch Anahat Singh on World Junior title, PV Sindhu, LA 2028 & her senior ambitions | TOISA Spotlight "I can't explain my feelings now," Hashimi said after winning silver, as quoted by news agency AFP.She recalled how she began cycling with her sister Yulduz in Afghanistan, where she was attacked with stones and trained while disguised as a man."I was born inside a country where the women who dream are getting attacked, and I'm really happy that I have fought against that," she said."I hope that the next generation will come here and represent their country without any fear."Hashimi left Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Since then, the Taliban authorities have imposed a series of restrictions on women, including limiting their access to education, public life and sport.Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines "They took away our freedom, they took away everything from us," Hashimi said."This silver medal can show a lot of resilience from Afghan women, and I'm really happy.
