Mohammad Jafar Sultani, a member of Afghanistan’s national wushu team, defeated his Saudi Arabian opponent to claim a bronze medal at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games, currently underway in Riyadh.
Competing in the 70-kilogram weight class, Sultani secured his spot in the semifinals by overcoming the Saudi fighter in the quarterfinal round.
He had previously defeated an athlete from Yemen in an earlier bout.
The Islamic Solidarity Games, organized under the auspices of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), bring together athletes from member states in a show of sportsmanship and cultural unity.
This year’s edition in Riyadh marks a rare opportunity for Afghan athletes to compete internationally amid widespread restrictions at home, under Taliban rule, which has curtailed sports participation—especially for women.
