Roya Karimi, an Afghan athlete based in Norway, has claimed first place in the 2025 European Bodybuilding Championship. Her achievement is not only a personal milestone but also a powerful symbol of Afghan women overcoming deep-rooted social and cultural limitations.
Karimi considers this success more than an individual victory. In a message shared on social media, she wrote:
“Qualifying for the European Championship as an Afghan girl is not just a personal honor; it means breaking through limitations—not just in sports, but in life. We, too, have the right to dream, to strive, and to have our voices heard.”
Roya Karimi migrated from Kabul to Norway in 2011. In Norway, she pursued her education in nursing while simultaneously beginning her professional journey in the world of fitness. Bodybuilding—a field often laden with cultural and social challenges for Afghan women—became the arena in which Karimi showcased her strength and determination.
In recent years, she has been training professionally alongside her husband, Kamal, who is also one of her main supporters.
Following the announcement of her success in the European championship, social media responses were mixed. While many users praised her achievement, others criticized the publication of her photos, claiming they conflicted with “Afghan culture.”
In response to the criticism, Karimi addressed the issue during a live broadcast on Instagram, saying:
“I won’t apologize for what I’ve done. The greatest achievement for an Afghan woman is simply to exist—to have a voice in a society and under a government that tries to erase her.”
She urged her fellow Afghans to look beyond patriarchal frameworks and to respect humanity and women’s right to choose.
