Rohullah Nikpai

Rohullah Nikpai (born June 15, 1987) is an Afghan (ethnic Hazara) Taekwondo practitioner.

Career

Nikpai started his training in Kabul, Afghanistan, at the age of 10. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/news/story?id=3544339 Nikpai hopes his medal can serve as message of peace] ESPN] During the bloody conflict over the capital city, his family left the city and settled in one of Iran's many Afghan refugee camps. He soon became a member of the Afghan refugee Taekwondo team. He returned to Kabul in 2004 and continued his training at the government provided Olympic training facility. At the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar Nikpai competed in the flyweight division where he was defeated by eventual silver medalist Nattapong Tewawetchapong of Thailand in round 16.

Nikpai competed in the 58 kg category at the 2008 Summer Olympics, defeating two-time world champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain to win the bronze medal, making him Afghanistan's first Olympic medalist in any event. Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai immediately called to congratulate Nikpai. He also awarded him a house at the government’s expense. [ [http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-afghanistansmedal&prov=ap&type=lgns] ] "I hope this will send a message of peace to my country after 30 years of war," Nikpai said. [cite news |author=Amir Shah |coauthors=Rahim Faiez |title=Afghanistan in awe after winning first Olympic medal. |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/beijing/fight/2008-08-20-afghan-medalist_N.htm?csp=34 |work=Associated Press|publisher=USA Today |date=20 August 2008 |accessdate=2008-08-20] [ [http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/BIO/Athlete/5/8005295.shtml Athlete Biography of Rohullah Nikpai] ]

ee also

* Afghanistan at the 2008 Summer Olympics

References