Stoned, trained as a man: Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi wins silver at Asian Games

Aichi-Nagoya 2026 – Road Cycling – Women’s Road Race – Final – 22 September 2026. China’s Li Guo and Afghanistan’s Fariba Hashimi in action. Afghanistan silver medalist Fariba Hashimi stands on the podium during the victory ceremony. Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, who disguised herself as a man to cycle as a teenager, won a silver medal in the women’s road race at the Asian Games in Japan on Tuesday and said she hoped her success would inspire 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”.“I can’t explain my feelings right now,” Hashimi said after winning the silver, as quoted by the AFP news agency.She recalled how she started cycling with her sister Yulduz in Afghanistan, where she was pelted with stones and trained to disguise herself as a man.“I was born in a country where women who dream are attacked and I’m really happy that I fought against that,” she said.“I hope the next generation will come here and represent their country without fear.”Hashimi left Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Since then, Taliban authorities have imposed a number of restrictions on women, including restricting their access to education, public life and sports.“They took away our freedom, they took away everything,” Hashimi said.“This silver medal can show the great resilience of Afghan women and I am really happy.“I am not alone, I know that millions of women from many countries have the same dream and stand with me.”Hashimi was helped to leave Afghanistan by Italian former world champion Alessandra Cappellotto and later moved to Italy where she now lives and trains.With her sister, she represented Afghanistan at the Paris Olympics two years ago and is now looking forward to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.“I never want to give up and I hope we see (what can happen) again in Los Angeles,” she said.