Fariba Hashimi wins historic cycling silver at Asian Games

On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 23-year-old Afghan refugee cyclist Fariba Hashimi secured a silver medal in the women's road race at the Asian Games in Shinsiro, Japan. Completing the 91-kilometer course in 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 5 seconds, Hashimi finished second behind gold medalist Li Guo of China, while Wing Lee Leung of Hong Kong took the bronze. This achievement marks the first time an Afghan woman has ever won a medal at the Asian Games.

Hashimi’s path to the podium was fraught with challenges rooted in the 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Before fleeing the country to pursue her career, she faced significant repression, often forced to disguise herself as a man to train in public, where she frequently encountered harassment and physical abuse from locals. Since departing Afghanistan five years ago, she has transitioned from a life under strict regime restrictions to becoming an international sports representative, standing as a symbol of resilience for women globally.