Rohullah Nikpai facts for kids
Nikpa speaking in 2012 in Kabul, Afghanistan
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| Nationality | Afghan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | June 15, 1987 Maidan Wardak, Democratic Republic of Afghanistan |
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| Residence | Kabul, Afghanistan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 180 cm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 68 kg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | Afghanistan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Taekwondo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retired | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World finals | 2011 Gyeongju | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regional finals | 2008 Luoyang | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympic finals | 2008 Beijing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Rohullah Nikpai (born June 15, 1987) is a famous taekwondo athlete from Afghanistan. He is known for winning two bronze medals at the Olympics. This made him the first and only Afghan athlete to ever win an Olympic medal. In 2023, he started coaching the national taekwondo team for New Zealand.
Rohullah Nikpai's Journey in Taekwondo
Rohullah Nikpai is from the Hazara ethnic group. He began learning taekwondo in Iran when he was 10 years old. His family had moved to Iran as refugees during a difficult time in Afghanistan in the 1990s. He was inspired to join the Afghan Taekwondo team after watching martial arts movies.
In 2004, Rohullah returned to Afghanistan. He continued his training at a special Olympic facility in Kabul. He competed at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. There, he was in the flyweight division but lost to Nattapong Tewawetchapong from Thailand.
Olympic Success and National Hero
Rohullah Nikpai competed in the 58 kg category at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He won a bronze medal by defeating Juan Antonio Ramos from Spain. This was a huge moment for Afghanistan. It was the first time an athlete from Afghanistan had won an Olympic medal.
When he returned home, thousands of people greeted him at the airport. He became a national hero. The President of Afghanistan at the time, Hamid Karzai, called to congratulate him. Rohullah also received a house, a car, and other gifts from the government. He hoped his success would bring a message of peace to his country.
At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Rohullah competed again. This time, he was in the 68 kg category. He lost to Mohammad Bagheri Motamed from Iran. However, he still managed to win another bronze medal by defeating Martin Stamper from Great Britain.
See also
In Spanish: Rohullah Nikpai para niños
- Afghanistan at the 2008 Summer Olympics
- Afghanistan at the 2012 Summer Olympics
