“I believe that if we have strong reason and believe in ourselves, there is no impossible.”

HerStory meets Samin Abedkhojasteh, a professional Badminton player active in women’s sport and youth development.

A CHERISHED SPORTING MEMORY

"I was preparing to play in the Asia Junior Championships 2017 in Thailand. Three weeks before the tournament I got a very bad ankle injury during practice. Despite my ankle being badly swollen, I did not want to miss the games and my coach assured me that I would be ready to play. I believed in my coach and did all the recommended treatment. With the support of my mother, I was mentally so prepared and did not want to miss my chance. I told myself I did not suffer all this pain for nothing and I won the set 22-20. This win was the first in history for an Iranian team. I believe that if we have a strong reason and believe in ourselves, nothing is impossible."

WHO PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN YOUR CAREER

"My mother always told me you are the champion of your life. When we hear personal stories from athletes, we get a real sense of the challenges women encounter, such as unfair pay, limited media coverage, and societal expectations. This deeper understanding of our stories can lead to greater support for gender equality in sports and beyond."

Samin’s story is an inspiring testament to the power of storytelling, the importance of role models, and why we need to continue to harness the power of storytelling to elevate women in sport.