This Olympic athlete just changed the world for Iranian girls
Just when we thought women couldn’t be more badass at this year’s Olympics, something truly incredible happens.
Kimia Alizadeh Zenoorin kicked and punched down barriers along with her opponents when she became the first Iranian woman to win an Olympic medal by taking taekwondo bronze in the 57kg category this past Thursday.
Congratulations, Kimia! The world can’t stop celebrating this inspiring win:
Kimia Alizadeh Zenoorin is first Iranian female to win Olympic medal https://t.co/2g6IAXXtXX We are STRONG. We are POWERFUL. We are FEMALE.
— Medalion Rahimi (@medalionR) August 19, 2016
Sweet news to wake up to! The first Iranian #woman to win an #Olympic medal. She makes us very proud. She won the… https://t.co/24SsgNMz8Z
— Setareh Sabety (@SetarehSabety) August 19, 2016
Not only the first in her sport, the first in her entire *country* – The first Iranian woman to win an Olympic medal https://t.co/7BvBiwWgHx
— Chawnda Blake (@chawndablake) August 19, 2016
Bravo to this incredible #Iranian woman. #KimiaAlizadeh Zenoorin is the 1st Iranian female to win an Olympic medal https://t.co/HzUQSV3U9k
— Tara Kangarlou (@tarakangarlou) August 19, 2016
According to The Huffington Post, the 18-year-old former junior world champion “fell to the floor and kissed the mat” after beating Nikita Glasnovic of Sweden in a one-sided contest at the Carioca Arena 3, securing herself the history-making bronze medal.
We’d probably start screaming, ourselves if we were ever to accomplish such an amazing task. But Kimia showed a lot more poise, simply saying:
“I am so happy for Iranian girls because it is the first medal and I hope at the next Olympics we will get a gold. I am very excited and I want to thank my parents and my coach. They really stand behind me and I am so happy.”
We are happy for you, Kimia! Congratulations! You are an inspiration to all of us!
