HomeInternational NewsAfghan B-girl Manizha Talash Prepares for Paris Olympics

Afghan B-girl Manizha Talash Prepares for Paris Olympics

Manizha Talash, a 21-year-old Afghan woman, has overcome numerous challenges to become the first “b-girl” (female breakdancer) from her country and is now preparing to compete in this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. Her journey began in 2020 when she saw a video of an Afghan breakdancer on social media, which inspired her to pursue her dreams despite facing many obstacles.

At the age of 17, Talash visited a training space in Kabul where she met Superiors Crew, a community of breakdancers. “There were 55 boys, and I was the only girl,” she recalls. However, it did not take long for her to immerse herself in breakdance culture, where gender was not a barrier. “In the gym, they always told me, ‘You can do it. It’s not impossible,’” she explains.

Unfortunately, her journey was marked by violent attacks and threats, especially after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021. When her beloved gymnasium was shut down for safety reasons, and she started receiving death threats, Talash decided to change her name to protect her loved ones. “I was only afraid for my family,” she calmly states.

To pursue her dreams, Talash traveled internally to Pakistan with her 12-year-old brother to escape the situation in Afghanistan. The following year was filled with waiting and separation from her mother, but she remained determined. Later, she found asylum in Spain, where she supported herself by working in a hair salon while continuing to train in breakdancing. “My friends refused to let me give up,” she explains about their support, which ultimately led to her recognition by the Olympic Refuge Foundation. This opened the doors for her to compete as a member of the Olympic Refugee Team.

Breaking, as breakdance is now officially called, will make its debut as an Olympic sport in Paris. Talash will compete under the name “B-girl Talash” and represent both Afghanistan and the dreams of women in her home country. “I want to show the courage of Afghan girls, which means that everyone can achieve their dreams, even if they are in a cage,” she emphasizes.

Despite the many challenges that come with being a refugee, Talash looks ahead with hope. She plans to start a clothing line inspired by Afghanistan and support women who cannot work outside: “If you can’t work outside, you can work at home and help me make clothes here,” she says.

Talash is optimistic about the future for women in Afghanistan, and although she is currently representing refugees in Denmark, she dreams of one day returning home to compete for her own country. “My participation in the Games shows that the women and girls of Afghanistan should not be forgotten,” she concludes.

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