Filled with happiness, Zakia Khudadadi celebrated her historic win by throwing her gear into the air, marking the Refugee Team’s inaugural medal at a Paralympic Games.

At just 25 years old, Khudadadi, who hails from Afghanistan, secured a bronze medal in the women’s taekwondo K44 -47kg division at the Grand Palais in Paris by defeating Turkey’s Nurcihan Ekinci.

“I’ve overcome so many obstacles to reach this point,” Khudadadi expressed to the media after her win. “This medal signifies the strength of all Afghan women and refugees globally. I dream of a peaceful future for my country.”

Previously, Khudadadi represented Afghanistan at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, where she made it to the Round of 16. She and fellow Afghan athlete Hossain Rasouli managed to escape the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, thanks to what the President of the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parson, referred to as a “significant global operation” that secretly evacuated them to France.

According to the Associated Press, Khudadadi began practicing taekwondo in secret as a child at a gym in her hometown of Herat in western Afghanistan.

However, the Taliban has since prohibited women from participating in sports and many areas of public life.

“To me, this bronze feels like gold because I am now in France. Back in Afghanistan, it was impossible for me to engage in sports,” Khudadadi told Olympics.com after her victory.

Now residing and training in Paris, Khudadadi was encouraged by an enthusiastic home crowd waving “Zakia” banners as she celebrated her victory alongside her French coach Haby Niare, who previously won a silver medal in Rio.

“My success is due to the incredible support from the spectators,” Khudadadi stated.

The medals at the award ceremony were presented by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

“Zakia’s groundbreaking achievement for the Refugee Paralympic Team showcases the strength, resolve, and tenacity of her and her fellow refugees,” Grandi said.

“As she stands on the podium tonight, she embodies the spirit of 120 million people who have been forcibly displaced around the world,” Grandi remarked. “Zakia has become a symbol of hope for all of us. Despite the tremendous hurdles she has overcome, she has reached the pinnacle of success in sports. This night belongs to her!”

The Refugee Olympic and Paralympic teams have taken part in every edition of the Games since Rio 2016. In Paris 2024, the Refugee Olympic Team also claimed its first medal as Cindy Winner Djankeu Ngamba earned bronze in the women’s boxing 75kg category earlier this month.