An Afghan cyclist who once had to disguise herself as a boy just to learn how to ride a bike has now won a silver medal at the Asian Games. Her name is Fariba Hashimi, and her story is about much more than a bicycle race — it’s about not giving up, even when an entire system tries to stop you. Here is her story, told simply.
A Silver Medal Near Nagoya, Japan
Fariba Hashimi, who now lives in Italy, finished second in the women’s road race at the Asian Games near Nagoya, Japan, on Tuesday. She is 23 years old. Speaking after the race, she called her medal “something special,” and said, “I can’t explain my feelings now.”
How She Started Cycling in Secret
Hashimi’s journey into cycling was never easy. As a teenager in Afghanistan, she started training in the sport together with her sister, Yulduz, who is also now a professional cyclist. But because girls and women were not accepted riding bikes openly, she had to disguise herself as a man just to train. She was even attacked with stones while doing so.
“I was born inside a country where the women who dream are getting attacked, and I’m really happy that I have fought against that,” she said.
Life Under Taliban Rule
Taliban authorities returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Since then, they have placed many rules on women, limiting their access to education, public life, and sports. Hashimi spoke directly about what this has meant for her and other Afghan women.
“They took away our freedom, they took away everything from us,” she said. She was originally from Faryab province in northern Afghanistan, and she left the country after the Taliban took control.
A Message to Other Women
Hashimi said she hopes her silver medal can be a symbol of strength for Afghan women, and for women everywhere facing similar struggles.
“This silver medal can show a lot of resilience from Afghan women, and I’m really happy,” she said. “I’m not alone, I know that behind me millions of women, from many countries, have the same dream and they are standing with me.”
She also said she hopes the next generation of Afghan athletes will be able to compete for their country freely, without fear.
Her New Life in Italy
Hashimi was able to leave Afghanistan with help from Alessandra Cappellotto, a former world champion cyclist from Italy. She now lives and trains in Italy. She and her sister both competed together at the Paris Olympics two years ago, and Hashimi says she is already looking ahead to the next Olympic Games, in Los Angeles in 2028.
“I never want to give up and hopefully we can see (what can happen) again in Los Angeles,” she said.
Racing Without a Team Behind Her
One detail makes her silver medal even more impressive: Hashimi competed in Japan with very little support. She didn’t have her own mechanic or much preparation help. Her national federation sent just one person, who only drove the car.
“We were fixing the bike ourselves. I was the mechanic for myself. I was washing the bike myself,” she explained. She specially thanked the Japanese cycling team, who stepped in to help fix her bike during the event. “Thank you to the Japanese team. They were really, really nice to me, fixed my bike,” she said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Fariba Hashimi?
She is a 23-year-old Afghan cyclist who now lives and trains in Italy, and who won a silver medal in the women’s road race at the 2026 Asian Games.
Why did she disguise herself as a man?
As a teenager in Afghanistan, girls and women riding bikes were not accepted, so she trained disguised as a man in order to learn and practice the sport.
How did she leave Afghanistan?
She left with the help of Alessandra Cappellotto, a former Italian world champion cyclist, and now lives in Italy.
Has she competed at the Olympics?
Yes. She and her sister Yulduz both competed at the Paris Olympics, and Hashimi has said she hopes to compete again at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Fariba Hashimi’s silver medal is more than a sporting result — it’s a powerful reminder of what determination can achieve, even against very real, very difficult odds. Her story stands as an inspiration, both for Afghan women and for anyone facing their own uphill battle.
