TRANSCRIPT
It's an ancient art form that masters discipline and balance, to empower self defence, renowned for its high flying kicks and intensity.
At the World Taekwondo Centre in Cranbourne, fighting techniques are being carefully practised.
16-year-old Fatima Ahmadi executes them with fierce precision.
Before the Taliban's takeover, she represented Afghanistan's national team.
“Growing up in a country like Afghanistan - the violence and the gender inequality were the most common things. Taekwondo provided me with an escape from that sort of environment and allowed me to channel my energy into something very positive.”
“I was playing for Afghanistan for five years. I was representing Afghanistan in international competitions, and it was such a part of me to grab Afghanistan's flag and go to another country and represent my own country.”
But that all changed three years ago.
Facing a ban on female sport under Taliban rule, Fatima was among seven Taekwondo athletes evacuated to Australia.
Despite leaving her homeland and many loved ones behind, her competitive drive continues to flourish .
A new life... and a new chance... to keep pursuing her passion.
“I'm trying my best to participate in competitions to get more experience and represent Australia. I really want to represent Australia in competitions because I cannot represent my country anymore. So I am looking forward to represent Australia in world championships or competitions overseas.”
Shekiba Fuladi shares that burning desire to make the most of her opportunity.
The 21-year-old is another from Afghanistan, who is passionate about her training.
“If you're passionate about any sport that you want to do, I think you have to do it. You know? And I know like there, even though we live in Australia, there are obstacles. And I think there aren't enough people that would guide us to do what we love to do the sport of our choice. But if you're passionate enough, I think if it's important enough for you, you should be willing to take any challenges, take the chances, and take that next step to get where you want to be. You know, and use the chances and use opportunities that you have in your hand.”
Now in Australia, she is embracing those chances and opportunities.
“If I was now in Afghanistan, I wouldn't be able to be where I am today. You know, maybe some people might say successful athletes, so I wouldn't be able to be a successful athlete.”
Both Fatima and Shekiba are being trained by Ali Rahimi, the chief instructor at World Taekwondo Centre located in Melbourne's outer south-east.
“The girls like Shekiba and Fatima, they lost their hope in Afghanistan, and everybody they have a goal, they have a dream in their life. Shekiba and Fatima they lost their hope in life. They couldn't get that position they wanted. So since they move to Australia, this is a good opportunity for them and we might prove to be is opportunity for all of them to to get their goal and to get to that point they want to to receive all the opportunity in Australia for for them.”
As well as competition success, the two athletes have been recognised for their role in inspiring other young girls to take up the challenge.
Something valued even more highly, given the hardliner stance against participation in sport, they would otherwise face in Afghanistan.
Shekiba and Fatima have inspired young women in Afghanistan and in Australia, including this year 12 student.
“The Afghan girls have come here and like they've truly shown us what like, even if you're going through a tough time, like especially coming from Afghanistan a country where there's like, this isn't a normal occurrence, this isn't like an opportunity given to them. I think it makes me even more grateful for this club. And I think that especially like, younger individuals like Fatima, like Faiza, like Khadija I think all of them I think they will inspire every single individual in this club, to become a better person to train their best because we know that this isn't that we shouldn't be grateful for it because not everyone has this opportunity.”
Powerful female sport role models ... in defiance of the Taliban.
