With the help of former Italian world champion Alessandra Cappellotto, Hashimi was able to leave Afghanistan and move to Italy, where she now lives and trains.
On Tuesday, she broke through when the women's road race at the Asian Games was decided in Nagoya, Japan. The 23-year-old came in second.
Afterwards, Fariba Hashimi was emotional and told how she was attacked with stones and trained disguised as a man when she started cycling as a teenager with her sister Yulduz, who is also a professional cyclist.
I was born in a country where women who dream are attacked. I hope the next generation can represent their country without fear.
The Taliban have ruled Afghanistan since the summer of 2021 and have since restricted women's rights.
They took away our freedom, they took away everything from us, but I am not alone, says Hashimi according to The Guardian.
Fariba Hashimi competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics with her sister Yulduz. Now they are looking to Los Angeles in 2028.
