Afghan Cyclist Fariba Hashimi Finishes Seventh at Asian Games After Fleeing Her Homeland
Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi finished seventh in the women’s individual time trial at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan on September 20. The result marked another international appearance for the 23-year-old athlete, who left Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Hashimi now lives in Italy and continues to compete internationally. Her appearance in Nagoya brought renewed attention to the barriers faced by Afghan women seeking to participate in sport.
Fariba Hashimi’s result at the Asian Games
As Reuters reported on September 20, Hashimi placed seventh in the women’s individual time trial. She said competing internationally was important to her not only as an athlete but also as a way to represent Afghan women.
She began cycling at 15, following her sister Yulduz into the sport. Both sisters later competed at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Why Hashimi left Afghanistan
Hashimi told Reuters that she disguised herself as a man while travelling to training sessions in her home province of Faryab because she feared harassment and attacks. She described being targeted with stones and bottles while pursuing cycling.
After leaving Afghanistan, she continued her career in Italy with support from former road cycling world champion Alessandra Cappellotto.
Her hopes for the next generation
Hashimi said she hopes that Afghan girls will one day be able to train in their own country and compete internationally without having to leave home.
Her seventh-place finish did not bring a medal, but it added another major competition to a career that has included the Olympic Games and now the Asian Games.
