Afghan Cyclist Fariba Hashimi Wins Silver at Asian Games

Fariba Hashimi, an Afghan cyclist, won a silver medal in the women’s road race at the 20th Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Competing on September 22, 2026, Hashimi finished second at the Shinshiro Cycling Road Course, with China’s Guo Li winning gold and Leung Wing Yee of Hong Kong taking bronze.

This achievement followed her seventh-place finish in the women’s individual time trial, where she completed the 24.2-kilometre course two minutes and three seconds behind Kazakhstan’s Rinata Sultanova. Hashimi's journey has been fraught with challenges, including disguising herself as a man to train in Afghanistan due to societal dangers.

After fleeing Afghanistan following the Taliban's return to power in 2021, she relocated to Italy, where she continues to pursue her cycling career alongside her sister, Yulduz. Hashimi expressed her desire for Afghan girls to have the opportunity to compete internationally and emphasized that her participation symbolizes resilience and hope for women in Afghanistan.