Taekwondoka Zakia Khudadadi clinched the European title in the -47kg category. By doing so,the Afghan refugee, who competed for the refugee team in Rotterdam, won her very first major title.
The title comes just two years after an emotional participation at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which she almost missed. Khudadadi only arrived in Tokyo after being airlifted out of Taliban-controlled Kabul by the Royal Australian Air Force after a co-ordinated rescue effort.
Competing in Tokyo was therefore a win in itself. But now she wants more: the Afghan athlete dreams about winning a medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. The European Para Championships in Rotterdam was the first step on the way to Paris.
