Safarzadeh inspired by top Iranian honor to vie for Asian, Paralympic golds
Iranian para-athletics star Hajar Safarzadeh says being voted the country’s Female Paralympian of the Year has strengthened her determination to pursue gold medals at October’s Asian Para Games as well as the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
The 26-year-old sprinter received the honor after bagging an impressive 400m silver medal in the T12 class at last September’s World Championships in New Delhi, adding to the Paralympic silver she won in the same category at Paris 2024.
“I am thrilled and honored to have been chosen by the people,” Safarzadeh said. “I hope I am worthy of this precious recognition and can repay the support of the Iranian people by winning the best medals in future competitions.”
Safarzadeh revealed that her immediate focus is the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, where she hopes to improve her performances and add more gold medals to her collection.
The sprinter currently trains twice a day under coach Mahdi Mousavi as she prepares for the event. At the previous Asian Para Games, she won gold in the 200m event but was disqualified from the 400m following a technical infringement.
Her program for the upcoming event has yet to be finalized, although she is expected to compete in the 200m and 400m events and could also enter the 100m, depending on her coach’s decision.
The road to preparation has not been straightforward. Safarzadeh said the closure of sports facilities amid the wartime situation in the country forced her to adapt her training schedule, often working in public parks when conditions allowed.
“There were days when I could only focus on technical exercises rather than running,” she said. “It was a very stressful period, and missiles struck near my training area several times. But I tried not to stay away from training because I want to be in the best condition possible for Nagoya and raise Iran’s flag.”
Looking further ahead, Safarzadeh has set her sights on an even bigger target: Paralympic gold in Los Angeles in 2028.
The departure of her legendary Cuban rival, Omara Durand, who retired after winning an 11th Paralympic gold in Paris, has opened a new chapter in the event.
“My main goal is to win Paralympic gold,” Safarzadeh said. “I am focused on my training and achieving the best possible result in Los Angeles.”
While the public recognition has increased expectations, Safarzadeh believes it can serve as the inspiration she needs to reach the pinnacle of para-athletics over the next four years.