Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Afghan Cyclist Wins Asian Games Silver Despite Taliban Restrictions
Fariba Hashimi is a cyclist from Afghanistan who won a silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games.
The race happened near Nagoya in Japan.
She finished second behind China’s Guo Li.
When Hashimi was younger, she sometimes dressed as a boy so she could practice cycling.
She and her sister Yulduz were attacked with stones when they started the sport.
Hashimi left Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and moved to Italy.
She says Afghan women have lost many freedoms.
She hopes her medal encourages girls to follow their dreams without fear.
She also thanked the Japanese team for helping repair her bicycle.
Fariba Hashimi won silver in the women’s road race near Nagoya, Japan, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
She finished behind China’s Guo Li at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
Hashimi said she once disguised herself as a man to train and was attacked with stones as a teenager.
She left Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and now lives and trains in Italy.
Hashimi competed with limited support, thanked Japan’s team for repairing her bicycle, and dedicated the achievement to Afghan women.
- Who
- Fariba Hashimi won silver behind China’s Guo Li in the women’s road race.
- What
- Hashimi won a silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games.
- When
- Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
- Where
- Near Nagoya in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
- Why
- Hashimi hopes the medal demonstrates Afghan women’s resilience and inspires future generations.
Hashimi’s Perspective
Reported Taliban Restrictions
Women’s freedom and sport
Hashimi’s Perspective
Hashimi says Afghan women have had their freedom taken away and hopes her medal shows their resilience and inspires women to compete without fear.
Reported Taliban Restrictions
The articles report that Taliban authorities have imposed rules limiting women’s access to education, public life, and sport since returning to power in 2021.
Meaning of the medal
Hashimi’s Perspective
Hashimi views the silver medal as a symbol for Afghan women and says millions of women with similar dreams stand behind her.
Reported Taliban Restrictions
The reported restrictions create an environment in which women athletes in Afghanistan face barriers to pursuing sport, according to the articles.
- Medalist
- Fariba Hashimi
- Result
- Silver medal
- Event
- Women’s road race
- Competition
- 2026 Asian Games
- Age
- 23
- Current residence
- Italy
- Sister
- Yulduz, also a professional cyclist
- Future target
- The 2028 Los Angeles Games
