From Forced Marriage to Global Podiums: The Unbreakable Journey of Roya Karimi

Roya Karimi’s life story is one of the most compelling modern narratives of personal reinvention, beginning in the restricted environment of traditional Afghan society and rising toward the brightly lit stages of international fitness competitions. Born in Kabul in 1993, she grew up in a world where girls’ futures were frequently shaped by custom rather than choice. Her own aspirations were overshadowed early on by the expectations of her family and community, yet even as a child she sensed that the limitations placed upon her were neither natural nor permanent.