Review of Afghanistan developments
Mohammad Taha Ishaqi, The Afghan wushu star
Mohammad Taha Ishaqi, a young Afghan immigrant residing in the Golshahr district of Mashhad, achieved remarkable success by securing both gold and silver medals at the Asian Youth and Junior Wushu Championships. After winning the Asian gold medal, he returned to Kabul to a heartfelt reception from the citizens and officials of the Afghan government.
The Afghan Olympic Committee recognized Mohammad Taha Ishaqi along with other wushu athletes who achieved medal success at the 12th Asian Wushu Championships during a special awards ceremony. Additionally, several government officials convened with the medalists to pay tribute to their accomplishments.
The competition took place in Shanghai, China from the 23rd to the 29th of July 2025, with the Afghan team entering the event with seven athletes across two categories: talu (form execution) and sanda (fighting). In a remarkable display, Mohammad Taha Ishaqi, a young Afghan immigrant, secured the Asian gold medal, marking a historic achievement for Afghan wushu. It is noteworthy that Mohammad Taha Ishaqi had earlier earned a silver medal in these competitions.
In the Sanda division, Ahmad Navid Akbari secured a bronze medal in the 52 kg weight class, increasing Afghanistan’s overall medal tally in the competition to three: one gold, one silver, and one bronze.
The Afghan convoy, which included six athletes, two coaches, and a supporting delegation, arrived back in Kabul on Friday, August 1st, to a heartfelt reception from the public and sports officials. Afghan sports officials, representatives from the Wushu Federation, and sports fans organized a ceremony to graciously welcome Mohammad Taha Ishaqi along with the other athletes who traveled with him.
Mashhad, the unofficial sports capital of Afghan immigrants in Iran
In recent years, Mashhad, particularly the Golshahr neighborhood, has emerged as a significant hub for the development and success of sports talents among Afghan immigrants in Iran. The substantial presence of Afghan immigrants in Mashhad has facilitated the establishment of specialized clubs, local teams, and a robust representation of athletes in both provincial and international competitions.
The people of Mashhad have mutually accepted Afghan immigrants over the last forty years, providing Afghan immigrant elites in different fields with enhanced opportunities to develop and display their skills. A considerable number of Afghan athletes residing in Mashhad participate in sports such as wushu, wrestling, taekwondo, futsal, and football, successfully demonstrating their abilities and talents on international stages with distinction.
Mohammad Taha Ishaqi, the Asian Junior Wushu Champion who has recently secured gold and silver medals for Afghanistan in the competition, resides in the Golshahr neighborhood of Mashhad.
One of the reasons for the brilliance of athletes like Mohammad Taha Eshaqani is the compassionate Afghan coaches living in Mashhad. These coaches, with a history of professional activity in their own country, today play an important role in training a new generation of athletes. Some of these coaches have established local clubs and trained dozens of immigrant teenagers and young adults.
One of the factors contributing to the excellence of athletes such as Mohammad Taha Eshaqani is the dedicated Afghan coaches residing in Mashhad. These coaches, who have a background of professional engagement in their homeland, currently play a significant role in mentoring a new generation of athletes. Several of these coaches have founded local clubs and have trained numerous immigrant teenagers and young adults.
Besides enhancing the self-esteem of the younger generation, immigrant-focused clubs in Mashhad have created avenues for social engagement and interaction with the local community. These clubs are typically operated through private funding or public assistance, and alongside sports training, they also emphasize cultural and ethical education.
As per the statements of refugee advocates, Mashhad has emerged as a significant hub for nurturing refugee sports talents in Iran; a city that has not only alleviated the painful recollections of migration but has also transformed into a springboard for the future heroes of Afghanistan.
Another representation of the achievements of Afghan immigrants residing in Iran and Mashhad is the remarkable performance of the Afghan national futsal team, which successfully qualified for the Futsal World Cup last year. In addition to excelling in the World Cup, the members of this team are currently competing for notable Iranian and international teams.
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Examining the sports history of Afghan immigrants, such as MohammadTaha Ishaqi, reveals that these athletes possess significant potential for development and for bringing honor to both Afghanistan and their host country. The vibrant medals that Afghan immigrant athletes residing in Mashhad can achieve serve as proof of the assertion that the Islamic Republic of Iran provides an excellent environment for nurturing the sports talents of Afghan immigrants. With increased attention, the degree of this success can be amplified, ultimately becoming a source of pride for both the immigrant community and the host nation.
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