Roya Karimi, a woman who escaped child marriage in Afghanistan and became a bodybuilding champion

“Today, the voice of an Afghan girl is so silenced that she cannot even go to school. She cannot even leave her home without the protection of a man, much less have the right to make her own decisions, think, express her opinions, fall in love, and live her own life.”

The Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on girls and women since seizing power from the Western-backed government when U.S. troops withdrew amid the turmoil of 2021.

“We must be passionate about this issue and advocate for it to bring about change around us.”

“I hope that one day Afghan women will be able to live without fear, be themselves, and pursue their dreams,” Loya says.

Loya claims that even before the Taliban regained power in the country, “that’s not the kind of life I wanted.”

Her decision to flee Afghanistan, leaving her then-husband behind, would pose many risks if other women in traditional Afghan society decided to do the same.

In Norway, Loya experienced a completely different environment. She had to adapt to a new, more liberal culture, find a job to support herself and her family, and learn to speak Norwegian.

For the first few years, he found it difficult to cope with all these demands, but in the end his efforts paid off. Loya studied nursing and worked at a hospital in the capital, Oslo.

Loya’s encounter with bodybuilding, the development of body muscles, became a turning point in his life. Going to the gym wasn’t just a way to get physically active. But it’s also a way to rebuild your self-esteem and redefine your personality.

He claims that the sport helped him free himself from the mental and social limitations he had imposed on himself for years.

Alongside her career as a nurse, Loya continued training in nutrition and health counseling and eventually earned a degree in physical training.

Loya and her second husband are recognized as Afghanistan’s first bodybuilding couple, a pioneering identity that symbolizes both resilience and change.

A year ago, Loya decided to quit her job as a nurse to enter the world of professional bodybuilding. It was a risky decision that changed the course of his life.

However, she explains that the main challenge for her was not changing jobs, but adjusting to freedom after the restrictions she endured in Afghanistan.

“Our biggest challenge was to break through the barriers and frameworks that others had placed on us, the unspoken rules imposed on us in the name of tradition, culture, religion, etc.,” he explains. “But when you decide to innovate, you have to free yourself from those frameworks.”

In addition to her sports activities, Loya connects with Afghan women at home and abroad through social media. He talks to them about the importance of physical health, self-esteem, and rebuilding identity.

Loya argues that each Afghan woman’s success is more than a personal victory, but a step toward redefining women’s role in society.

Loya is preparing to compete in the World Bodybuilding Championships, which begin on November 27th.

Winning gold in this category further accelerated his path to the top. wellness (Wellness) at the Open Bodybuilding Competition held this year in Stupliet, Norway. That part of the pageant focuses on natural fitness, healthy appearance, and understated beauty.

Unlike other bodybuilding categories that focus on large amounts of muscle mass, in this category the judges wellness They are looking for a combination of a balanced figure, healthy skin, and natural fitness.

She competed in a green bikini with sparkling crystals. His skin was tanned to highlight his muscle definition. Her hair had highlights and her makeup was designed to pageant standards.

In bodybuilding competitions, an athlete’s overall appearance, from wardrobe choices to makeup to tanning levels, plays an important role in judges’ scores.

Following his success, Loya also won the prestigious Norwegian Classic 2025. This is one of the largest bodybuilding competitions in Northern Europe, attracting athletes from all over the Scandinavian region.

With this victory, Loya qualified for the European Championship and was an important step in his journey from war-torn Kabul to the international stage. This earned him a spot in the World Championship.

Loya met her second husband, Kamal Jalaluddin, in Norway. A fellow Afghan, he himself has had a long career in bodybuilding and is one of Loya’s main supporters.

“Seeing Roya on stage was the realization of a dream we built together,” Kamal exclaims.

Loya credits him with giving her emotional and practical support. “Before I met Kamal, I played sports, but not at a professional level.”

“Their support has given me the confidence to pursue a path of taboo-breaking competition. I believe that when men support women, incredible things can happen.”

Despite her personal success, Loya’s family in Afghanistan has stopped supporting her. But Loya replied, “I decided to be myself and work for a better future.”

Their social media accounts have come under fire, often including threats of violence and death.

She rejects the criticism sometimes leveled at her work, saying, “People only see my appearance and my bikini. But behind that image are years of suffering, hard work and perseverance. These successes did not come easily.”

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