Paralympic icon Zahra Nemati targets spot in Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Iranian who won historic archery gold at London 2012 Paralympic Games has earned a place for her nation in Rio Olympic Games
Nemati on her way to a seminal gold medal in London (Getty Images/Harry Engels)
Zahra Nemati was already a global role model, but next year she could take her inspirational exploits to a new level. After winning an archery gold medal for Iran at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the wheelchair user has now earned a place for her country in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Nemati’s triumph in London made her the first Iranian woman to win a gold medal at either an Olympic or Paralympic Games. The 30-year-old has been widely credited with breaking down barriers and encouraging more women to take up sport across the Muslim world, receiving Sport Accord’s Spirit of Sport Individual Award in 2013.
After earning a slot at the Olympic Games by taking silver in the women’s individual event at the Asian Archery Championships in Bangkok on Sunday (8 November), Nemati said: “I consider Sunday to be a historical day. I do my best to win honours in Olympic and Paralympic Games simultaneously. I am so happy to get this, since I motivate all archers in my country.”
Nemati is a role model for women and athletes with a disability across the Muslim world (Photo: Getty Images/Harry Engels)
She added: “I will remain here in Thailand to support the para-archers when they come here to seek a slot for the Rio Paralympic Games. It is not the end since I have achieved my dreams more than I could imagine.”
As per the qualifying rules in archery, athletes win places at the Olympic Games for their National Olympic Committees, who then decide if they will use the quota and which athletes to send.
