Rohullah Nikpai Afghans First Olympic Medalist

Bronze medal is like a gold to all Afghans as a thousands of jubilant packed Kabul's national stadium to welcome Rohullah Nikpai the nation's first Olympic medalist. Nikpai was cheered by crowds of people as he was driven in an open-topped truck from the international airport to the arena.

"Nikpai brought pride to Afghanistan," Vice-President Mohammad Karim Khalili said, as the athlete looked on.

A string of speakers praised Nikpai's abilities and presented prizes to him.

Earlier on Thursday, on a stopover in the Indian capital Delhi, supporters carried Nikpai on their shoulders through the airport terminal, and decked him with flower garlands.

"It is every athlete's dream to have a medal around his neck, and I feel proud that my dream has come true," said Nikpai.

"I hope this medal will bring a better future for my country, both in terms of peace and friendship.

"My message to all the Afghan youth is to conquer their aspirations," he added.

"It doesn't matter what field of sport or career they are in, what matters is showing the world that our flag can rise as well."

On landing in Kabul, he was met by Vice-President Khalili, while Afghan helicopters circled over the city dropping leaflets with his picture.

"He has made the Afghan people proud," read the leaflets.

Taekwondo is one of the most popular sports in conflict-hit Afghanistan, which boasts more than 700 clubs and 25,000 competitors.

Nikpai beat world champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain 4-1 in a play-off for the bronze medal in the men's 58kg category.

The nation - which sent a team of four to Beijing - counted its previous best Olympic finish as a fifth place in the wrestling in 1964.

Who Is Rohullah Nikpai
Rohullah Nikpai was born on June 15, 1987, Nikpai is an Afghan ethnic Hazara Taekwondo practitioner.

Nikpai started his training in Kabul, Afghanistan, at the age of 10. During the bloody conflict over the capital city, his family left the city and settled in one of Iran's many Afghan refugee camps. He soon became a member of the Afghan refugee Taekwondo team. He returned to Kabul in 2004 and continued his training at the government provided Olympic training facility. At the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar Nikpai competed in the flyweight division where he was defeated by eventual silver medalist Nattapong Tewawetchapong of Thailand in round 16.

Nikpai competed in the 58 kg category at the 2008 Summer Olympics, defeating two-time world champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain to win the bronze medal, making him Afghanistan's first Olympic medalist in any event. Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai immediately called to congratulate Nikpai. He also awarded him a house at the government’s expense. "I hope this will send a message of peace to my country after 30 years of war," Nikpai said.

FYI - 2008 Beijing Olympic Sports