• Afghanistan First Olympic Medalist - Rohullah Nikpai
• Olympic Sport : Taekwondo
• Medal : Bronze

• Birthdate: June 15, 1987
• Weight: 128 lbs (58 kg)
• Height:  6'0" (1.83 m)
• Age: 21 years
• Gender: Male

Rohullah Nikpai, at a young age of only 10 started his Taekwondo training in Kabul, Afghanistan. Things began to get rough when ethnic afghan warlords began having a fierce battle over the capital city of Kabul. Nikpai's family left the war torn city and settled in one of Iran's many Afghan refugee camps. It wasn't long after that he continued his Olympic dream and became a member of the Afghan refugee Taekwondo team. After the fall of the Taliban, he returned to Kabul in 2004 and continued his training at the government provided Olympic training facility. In preparation for the Olympics he fought at many tournaments, one of the biggest being the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. At these games he competed in the flyweight division where he was defeated by eventual Beijing Olympic silver medalist, Nattapong Tewawetchapong of Thailand in round 16.

Finally he was able to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics which he was training for most of his Taekwondo career. Nikpai competed in the 58 kg (128 lbs) division defeating many countries including two-time world champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain to win the bronze medal. It was at that moment that he knew what he had accomplished making him this first Afghan to ever win an Olympic medal in any event. Soon after his victory Afghanistan's president Hamid Karzai called to congratulate Nikpai and award him with a beautiful house at the government's expense.

"I hope this medal can be a message of peace in Afghanistan"

     KABUL, Afghanistan -- Noor Ahmad Gayezabi said a silent prayer while watching the small family TV with his 13-year-old son. "Help Nikpai. Help Nikpai. Help Afghanistan." Then he watched his country win its first-ever Olympic medal. Rohullah Nikpai defeated world champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain on Wednesday to earn the bronze medal in the men's under 58-kilogram taekwondo competition, sparking applause, wide smiles and laughter in homes, restaurants and ice cream parlors around the country...  More

     Twenty one year old Rohullah Nikpai made history by winning Afghanistan's first Olympic medal. When returning from Beijing, China to his resident city of Kabul, he was given a red carpet welcome by thousands of local Afghans. As soon as he reached the airport he was picked up and driven straight to Kabul's national stadium and was greeted by a crowd of 5,000 cheering fans...  More

    Olympic Taekwondo Basics

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