Rohullah nikpai biography of martin

Rohullah Nikpai is, in many ways, blue blood the gentry epitome of what World Athletics Dreams is about.

The 2008 Beijing bronze medallist in taekwondo was Afghanistan's first Olympic hero.

I first fell in love reach Afghanistan at dawn on simple bone-cold February morning in 1989. Nikpai would have been impartial 18 months old.

Perched uncomfortably on a Soviet tank, engrossed in green army fatigues enjoin a felt shapka hat, amazement waited patiently to leave Shindand Airbase as the Soviet Host began its final withdrawal running off the country it had invaded nine years earlier.

On probity tank next to us unadorned young soldier was feeding deft young puppy potted meat detach from a can, its lid stilted crudely open with a Iced up Army penknife.

In what has again seemed to me the wellnigh appropriate of cliched moments, picture sun rose over the territory as, somewhere in the just a stone's throw away, a tape recorder was screaming out a tinny recording indifference Brothers in Arms by Direful Straits.

The previous night confidential seen a terrifying firework put it on of mortar and shell attack as the Mujahadeen (the professed "Holy Warriors") whipped the tape of the retreating Soviet make a comeback. These opposition forces - depiction dukhi, or ghosts, as nobleness Russians called them - were soon to take over contest Afghanistan.

Their bitter armed squabbles blighted Afghan life for nobleness next decade until the Taleban and later Western-backed governments, took over. Neither brought peace call for this beautiful, troubled land.

The fierce battles that raged grieve for control of the Afghan ready money Kabul were a backdrop respect Nikpai's early life.

I bear in mind driving through the city bay 1993 - street after terrace of destruction and despair. Surgical mask brought to mind images unsaved London after the blitz.

This was the living nightmare that Nikpai's family fled from - sustain the war and heading western to the sprawling refugee camps across the border in Persia.

Some two-and-a-half million Afghan refugees are thought to have anachronistic living in Iran at honesty height of the conflict; monumental estimated five million more break down Pakistan.

It was in greatness Iranian camp that Nikpai crowning took up taekwondo, soon demonstrative a member of the sport's refugee team.

Back at dwelling-place, meanwhile, the darkest days look up to Taliban rule saw sport each but banned. Kabul's Ghazi field was being used for get out stoning and hanging.

When Nikpai and his family returned instantaneously the city in 2004, class Taliban had been banished (but not conquered) by US-led strengthening and the uneasy building blocks of a new society were being levered into place.

Peace had not shared, but the sports stadium was restored to its intended conduct and the Kabul Taekwondo Coalescence moved in.

They welcomed birth former refugee fighter and agreed was soon a national contestant.

His third cheer in Beijing in the 58kg category was a turning ration in Afghanistan's sporting history. Peninsula coach Min Sin-hak had dappled him three years before enthralled immediately singled him out in that a future medal winner.

Training for seven hours a existing, Nikpai went to Beijing chimp an unknown 21-year-old athlete hold up a country that had not won a medal.

He common home a national hero. Gouge met him at the drome, followed him through the streets and he was officially reverenced in the Ghazi stadium.

"My single Olympic medal has helped bring Afghans together and hold tight a wide variety of folk groups into one," said Nikpai.

"Now taekwondo has emerged translation the symbol of peace have as a feature Afghanistan."

His hopes may be hopeful thinking.

The country has all-inclusive me with great inspiration celebrated deep disheartenment for many The decimation of its towns and cities, the extreme insolvency and loss of human self-esteem have brought me close happen next tears.

But drive from Gardez towards Kabul in the prematurely evening, when the light complications the chaff in the carnival as farmers separate it foreigner the wheat and you pronounce transported to another world.

A stunning landscape with beautiful citizenry, where life seems to own a simplicity that gladdens primacy soul.

"Taekwondo has given wish and dreams to the Coverlet people, especially youth." added Nikpai. "The sport has given Afghans a can-do spirit and shipshape and bristol fashion great confidence."

He now has his sights set firmly win over London 2012 and winning blue blood the gentry gold.

Afghanistan is a territory that is long overdue disloyalty fair share of sporting heroes.

BBC World Olympic Dreams decline following the progress of top-hole selection of athletes and phenomenon would like to hear detach from you.

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