A bronze medal in the 57 kg weight class at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro established Kimia Alizadeh as the first woman from Iran to secure an Olympic podium finish. Born in 1998 in Karaj, she has since shifted her athletic representation across national borders while continuing to compete at elite international levels.
Early Career and Achievements
Before her transition to international representation, Alizadeh established a strong record in youth and professional circuits. She secured a gold medal in the women's 63 kg class at the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games. At the 2015 World Taekwondo Championships, she defeated Jade Jones, a two-time gold medallist, to claim a bronze medal. She later added a silver medal to her credentials during the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships. In 2019, the BBC recognized her influence by including her in their list of 100 Women.
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In January 2020, Alizadeh announced her permanent departure from Iran. Through social media, she characterized her decision as a response to the systemic constraints placed upon women in the country. She described a lack of personal agency, noting that officials dictated her attire and public statements. Alizadeh stated her refusal to participate in what she termed a culture of hypocrisy and injustice. This departure occurred alongside other exits by notable Iranian sports figures, including judoka Saeid Mollaei and chess player Alireza Firouzja.
International Competition
Following her relocation to the Netherlands to train under Mimoun El Boujjoufi, Alizadeh sought new avenues for competition. She participated in the Tokyo Olympics as a member of the Refugee Olympic Team. In 2022, she earned a bronze medal at the European Taekwondo Championships while representing the same team. By 2024, she attained Bulgarian citizenship. Representing Bulgaria, she captured gold at the 2024 European Taekwondo Championships and secured another bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, becoming the nation's first taekwondo athlete to compete on that stage.
Fast facts
- Born: 1998, Karaj, Iran
- Sport: Taekwondo
- 2016 Olympic Medal: Bronze, 57 kg
- 2014 Youth Olympic Medal: Gold, 63 kg
- Awards: BBC 100 Women (2019)
- Former Citizenship: Iran
- Current Citizenship: Bulgaria
Questions readers ask
Why did Kimia Alizadeh leave Iran?
She defected in 2020 to escape what she described as the oppression of women and the restrictive, hypocritical policies of the Iranian regime.
Which countries has she represented in the Olympics?
She represented Iran in 2016, the Refugee Olympic Team in 2020, and Bulgaria in 2024.
