Zakia Khudadadi

Zakia Khudadadi, born on September twenty-ninth, nineteen ninety-eight, is a trailblazing para taekwondo athlete from Afghanistan. As a member of the Hazara community, she has made history as the first Afghan female taekwondo practitioner, showcasing her remarkable talent and determination on the international stage.

Her rise to prominence began in two thousand sixteen when she clinched victory at the African International Parataekwondo Championship at the young age of eighteen. This achievement not only highlighted her skills but also paved the way for her to represent Afghanistan at the prestigious two thousand twenty Summer Paralympics.

Initially, Zakia faced significant challenges in her journey to the Paralympics due to the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, which led to her being denied the opportunity to compete. However, after being safely evacuated, the International Paralympic Committee granted her the chance to participate, marking a significant moment in her career.

At the Paralympics, Zakia became the first Afghan female athlete to compete in seventeen years, following Mareena Karim's participation in the two thousand four Summer Paralympics. Her participation also made her the first Afghan female sportsperson to take part in an international sporting event after the Taliban's return to power, and she proudly became the first member of the Refugee Paralympic Team to win a medal.