A female cyclist from Afghanistan who previously disguised herself as a man when chasing a career in the sport has won a silver medal at the Asian Games.

Fariba Hashimi fled her country after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

She says she trained in disguise out of necessity before then in an effort to avoid being attacked, in a country where women’s rights are heavily restricted.

She earned her medal in the women’s road race near Nagoya in Japan on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old’s achievement follows her seventh-place finish in the women’s individual time trial on Sunday.

Describing her medal as “something special”, Hashimi hopes it can inspire other women in Afghanistan to follow their dreams.

“I was born inside a country where the women who dream are getting attacked, and I’m really happy that I have fought against that,” she said.

“I hope that the next generation will come here and represent their country without any fear.”

Hashimi followed her sister Yulduz, also an international cyclist, into the sport at the age of 15, despite danger in their home province of Faryab.

“I always dressed as a man to go to training, wearing two or three different masks so ‌people ⁠would not recognise or attack me,” Hashimi previously told Reuters., external

Hashimi said she would have to avoid stones being thrown at her whilst riding her bike.

Hashimi now lives and trains in Italy thanks to help from the Italian former world champion Alessandra Cappellotto.

Looking back at life in Afghanistan, Hashimi said the Taliban “took away our freedom”.

“This silver medal can show a lot of resilience from Afghan women, and I’m really happy,” she said.

“I’m not alone, I know that behind me millions of women, from many countries, have the same dream and they are standing with me.”

Hashimi and her sister competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics and are now setting their sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“I never want to give up,” Hashimi said, “and hopefully we can see [what can happen] again in Los Angeles.”