Asian Youth Para Games teenage girls are redefining the future of Para sport with powerful, medal-winning performances at the Dubai 2025 edition. On an electrifying opening day at the Dubai Club for People of Determination, teenage lifters stepped onto the international stage with strength, composure, and heart, many securing their first-ever podium finishes and inspiring young women watching across Asia.
Teen lifters light up Dubai
The opening session showcased not just physical strength but also resilience, as young women competitors pushed through nerves to deliver personal bests and podium-worthy lifts. Their performances signalled a new era where teenage girls are increasingly visible, celebrated, and central to the growth of Para sport in the region.
These athletes are emerging as role models for aspiring Para athletes, showing that determination, discipline, and support from family and coaches can turn long-held dreams into reality. Their success in Dubai underlines how youth competitions like the Asian Youth Para Games are crucial talent pipelines for future Paralympic champions.
Mahdiyeh Ehsani (Iran) — Gold, -45kg Rookie
At just 16, Iran’s Mahdiyeh Ehsani captured gold in the -45kg Rookie category, announcing herself as a major new talent on the continental stage. Competing internationally for the first time, she battled intense stress and anxiety but relied on her coach’s guidance and her own belief to deliver the performance she had visualised “countless times” before.
Her victory was emotional for both herself and Team Iran, as she fulfilled a long-held dream of stepping onto the podium and hearing her country’s name called. Ehsani dedicated the medal to her family, recognising their support as the foundation of her journey and success.
Zahra Pouladi Jarfi (Iran) — Gold, -41kg NextGen
Eighteen-year-old Zahra Pouladi Jarfi delivered another landmark moment for Iran by winning gold in the -41kg NextGen category, securing her country’s first gold of the Asian Youth Para Games 2025. Lifting under pressure in her first overseas competition, she described the medal as the “sweetest and most precious” achievement of her life so far.
Pouladi Jarfi said she took the stage with full confidence and low stress, focused on making her country proud and aiming for even bigger accomplishments in the future. Competing in Dubai with the support of cheering friends back home, she dedicated her gold to her mother in honour of World Mother’s Day, adding a deeply personal touch to her historic win.
Sultonposhsha Bardieva (Uzbekistan) — Gold, -41kg Rookie
Uzbekistan’s 16-year-old Sultonposhsha Bardieva delivered a standout performance in the -41kg Rookie category, claiming gold with a 55kg lift in her international debut. She admitted feeling “very worried” during the competition and never imagined winning an international medal at such a young age.
Despite her nerves, Bardieva’s determination carried her to the top of the podium and marked a proud moment for Uzbekistan’s youth Para programme. She dedicated her medal to her coach and family, acknowledging the belief and encouragement that helped her reach this breakthrough achievement on one of the region’s biggest stages.
Gulf Repost highlights inspiring sports stories from the Gulf and beyond, with a special focus on youth, inclusion, and groundbreaking achievements. From Para sport milestones in Dubai to regional tournaments and grassroots talent, Gulf Repost brings readers closer to the athletes, communities, and moments shaping the future of sport across Asia and the Middle East.
