Afghanistan’s Zakia Khadadadi has secured bronze at the Paris Games in the women’s K44 – 47kg category (taekwondo) and become the first refugee para-athlete to stand on an Olympic podium. Khudadadi, who has a functional arm, lives in France but was born in Herat province and had lost on the first day of competition to Ziyodakhon Isakova of Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals. However, she won her repechage bout against Nurcihan Ekinci of Turkey, coming from behind to claim a 9-1 victory and took bronze after her opponent withdrew from the medal fight.

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She represented Afghanistan at the 2020 Summer Paralympics after initially being denied the opportunity to compete due to the Taliban takeover in her home country, but was later allowed by the International Paralympic Committee to compete in the event after being safely evacuated.

Khudadadi’s Paralympic debut three years ago at Tokyo 2020 was rather more grim after she was forced to flee Afghanistan. But since France became her home, she has managed to win a bronze medal, making history along the way.

Now, with his sights set on the possibility of winning gold at Los Angeles 2028, Khudadadi will take a break and enjoy his moment of glory in the Parisian sunshine. Afterwards, he will return to full training with his coach. ‘She is not the same person she used to be. In four years, she will be a Paralympic champion, I’m sure of it,’ stressed her coach Haby Niare.