She Once Fled From Taliban. Now Lives Her Olympic Dream As A Breakdancer

As a teen, Manizha Talash narrowly survived a Taliban bombing and fled Afghanistan with her baby brother in hand. Today, the 21-year-old has made history as the first Afghan female breakdancer to qualify for the Olympics. With each gravity-defying stunt and intricate move, Talash doesn't just showcase her exceptional talent but also her unyielding spirit and tenacity. From the war-torn streets of Kabul to the dazzling lights of the Olympic stage, is a breathtaking narrative of resilience and courage.

Manizha Talash's Story

Manizha Talash first set her eyes on the sport when she stumbled upon a video of a b-boy spinning on his head. She told Vogue India in an interview how she would repeatedly watch the video to study how the man performed the incredible moves and try to imitate them in front of a mirror.

Soon, her enthusiasm led her to become the first girl to join Superiors Crew, a Kabul-based breakdancing community of 55 men. This was not easy for a young woman in a country with innumerable restrictions on women's rights and freedom of education, political participation, and self-expression.

When Talash and her baby brother sought refuge in Pakistan, the only lifeline that connected them to their homeland and single mom back home was a few video calls once in a while. Despite the hardships, she continued to remain strong and reach out for assistance and support across the world.

It was during this time that her story reached an Indian journalist who introduced her to a non-profit organisation called People Help in Barcelona. In the summer of 2022, she and her brother flew to Spain, where the people's hospitality made them feel like they were in a 'home away from home'.

Talash started working at a salon and quickly picked up Spanish from her coworkers. A new friend, Isabel, helped her continue her passion for breakdancing by reaching out to several people. It was through Isabel that the manager of the Refugee Team for the Olympics heard about her.

Beyond breakdancing, Talash is also starting a street-style clothing line, which also incorporates designs from her homeland. Despite being away from Afghanistan, she hopes that her journey as a breakdancer inspires women and young girls to pursue their passions fearlessly.