Khudadadi, who has one functional arm, lives in France but was born in Herat Province and had lost on the first day of competition to Ziyodakhon Isakova of Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals. But she won her repechage bout against Nurcihan Ekinci of Turkiye, coming from behind for a 9-1 win and claimed bronze after her opponent pulled out of the medal fight. 

“I’m so, so happy. For me, this medal is a dream. Today, I am in a dream. This is for me, like life,” she exhaled after parading a flag with the Paralympic logo, which the Refugee Paralympic Team competes under.

She represented Afghanistan at the 2020 Summer Paralympics after initially being denied the opportunity to compete due to the Taliban takeover in her home country but was later allowed by the International Paralympic Committee to compete in the event after being safely evacuated.

“I’m so proud of this flag because today, I am a refugee. Today I am a refugee. I worked hard these three years and there were problems that I had but that is in the past. Now is important. Now I am a bronze medallist,” she said.

Khudadadi’s Paralympics debut three years ago at Tokyo 2020 was quite gloomier after she was forced to flee Afghanistan. But since France became a home to her, she has made it all the way to a bronze medal,making history along the way.

“When I became a refugee in Paris, I tried to become stronger than before. These two years were proof that we can do what we want, despite the difficulties. This is a formidable medal in my life. I'll never forget the date because I won the bronze medal,” she said. "I want to give this medal to the whole world. I hope that one day there will be freedom in my country, for all the world, for all the girls, for all the women, for all the refugees in the world. And that all of us work towards that, for liberty and equality."

Haby Niare, who coaches Khudadadi, was also in disbelief.  “We did it. We are so happy. She deserves it. She worked hard every day. Every day, it’s not easy but today was the day. She did not have a choice today,” said Niare, a silver medallist in the women’s welterweight class at the Rio 2016 Olympics. “I said to her, ‘I want a medal’ and she said to me, ‘I will give you a medal today’. So we were on the same level today, and I’m so happy. This morning, she said to me, ‘I will be a medallist today.’ And I told her, ‘Really? If you say it, you have to do it’.”

With sights now set on possibly taking gold in Los Angeles 2028, Khudadadi will now take a breather and enjoy her shining moment in the Paris sun. Then, it will be back to full training with her coach. “She is not the same person she used to be. In four years, she will be a Paralympic champion, I am sure,” Niare stressed.