Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi wins Asian Games silver after training in disguise

Fariba Hashimi, a female cyclist from Afghanistan, won a silver medal in the women's cycling road race at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.123

To train in Afghanistan, where women have few rights, Hashimi dressed as a man and sometimes hid her face to avoid recognition.13

Hashimi had escaped Afghanistan for Italy five years before the Games.2

Hashimi said she dressed as a man whenever she went to training and hid her face at times to avoid being recognized.1

Hashimi escaped Afghanistan for Italy five years before winning the Asian Games silver medal.2