Cyclist who dressed as man to avoid Taliban wins silver medal

September 22, 2026

Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, who once disguised herself as a man to train safely under Taliban rule, has won a silver medal in the women’s road race at the Asian Games near Nagoya, Japan. The 23-year-old, now based in Italy, says she hopes her achievement will inspire other Afghan women to pursue their dreams despite repression.

Hashimi, who also finished seventh in the individual time trial at the same Games, is already looking ahead to competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. BBC