Two Syrian taekwondo fighters, 24-year-old Mahmoud Jasem Muhammad and 18-year-old Tala Hassan Hunaidi, are set to make history at the Asian Games in Nagoya by competing as representatives of the Refugee Team rather than under their national flag.
Marking the first time in the history of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) that a dedicated Refugee Team is participating in the Asian Games, both athletes overcame severe war trauma and years in Jordan's Azraq refugee camp through sports. Mahmoud will compete in the men's 80kg Kyorugi event, emphasizing that their participation carries a message of resilience and hard-won preparation rather than mere symbolic attendance.
Tala expressed gratitude to the Olympic Committee, the OCA, and World Taekwondo for providing a platform that helped transform her life and ambition. Praising their journey, OCA Athletes Committee Vice Chairman Shiva Keshavan noted that integrating refugee athletes into the Asian Games mainstream serves as an inspiration to millions and embodies the true humanitarian spirit of the Games.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Sports deak • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
