Afghan medallist gets hero's welcome

Afghan medallist gets hero's welcome

A hero's welcome for Olympic taekwondo bronze medallist Rohullah Nikpai -- as he arrives in the Afghan capital Kabul on Tuesday.br br The 25-year-old won the Olympic bronze medal in the men's taekwondo featherweight 68 kilogram event in London by defeating Britain's Martin Stamper.br br In Kabul's sports stadium, more celebrations for the country's new hero.br br (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) OLYMPIC TAEKWONDO BRONZE MEDALLIST, ROHULLAH NIKPAI, SAYING:br br "Thank God that we managed to achieve a bronze medal at the Olympic Games which is a very important event in the world."br br Nikpai also won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games, becoming Afghanistan's first Olympic medallist in history.br br Born into conflict, he started to learn Taekwondo in 1997 at the age of 10.br br But he and his family were soon forced to flee to neighbouring Iran for a number of years during the Taliban's rule.


User: Reuters

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Uploaded: 2012-08-14

Duration: 01:15