A young 18-year-old woman lived this Thursday in Tokyo magical moments that the Taliban have long believed to steal from her.
Still stranded ten days ago in front of Kabul airport, like thousands of other families, Zakia Khudadadi was finally able to compete in the Paralympic para taekwondo event thanks to a secret exfiltration carried out by several states including France.
Defeated in the first round against Ouzbèke Ziyodakhon Isakova (17-12), despite the victory of the first round, she then lost in repechage against the Ukrainian Vika Marchuk.
Impassive when entering the tatami during the first round (category K44 in the -47kg), to the sound of "Thunderstruck" from AC / DC, Zakia Khudadadi proudly represented the colors of her country.
In transit for a week at INSEP in Paris
Khudadadi, born with only one functional arm, had been invited by the Paralympic Committee, which had spotted her in 2016 during her exploits during the first African championships 2016 organized in Egypt.
“I was surprised, but also worried, because I only had two months to prepare for the Games and I had hardly any facilities,” she said in the spring.
I just want to be there with the other athletes in the world and give my best.
This is an opportunity to show my abilities and I will be very proud to be alongside all these athletes ”.
Zakia Khudadadi (in red) during his first round.
REUTERS / Ivan Alvarado
In mid-August, the meteoric takeover of the Taliban had almost put an end to his hopes.
But his call for help, broadcast on social networks via the Reuters news agency, received worldwide echo.
Several governments got down to evacuating her from Afghanistan, she and the other member of the Afghan delegation Hossain Rasouli.
An operation led in particular by the French authorities, who then welcomed them for a week in transit at INSEP, in the Bois de Vincennes.
Neither Zakia Khudadadi, nor Hossain Rasouli, who took part in the long jump (category T47) on Tuesday, will speak to the media in Japan.
A greater challenge awaits them now: to rebuild themselves and for that, the first step, to find a new home, in France or elsewhere.