Podium Photos

Nazila
Sudden changes in life always come with difficulties. Sometimes these changes not only alter a person’s path but also challenge their very sense of identity. Nazila Sharifi, a 39-year-old woman, experienced such a turning point at the age of 28. On her last day as a student, while returning to her dorm on a rainy night with her boyfriend, she was involved in a car accident. The crash caused a spinal cord injury that permanently affected her mobility. After the accident, her boyfriend left her, but her family—especially her sister Neda—stood by her side and supported her as she rebuilt her life.

Nazila decided to take up rowing, a sport that not only brought her back to physical activity but also became a way to redefine her personal identity. Through ten years of continuous training, she became one of the best female para-kayakers in Iran. However, her professional path has faced serious obstacles: lack of financial resources, long distance from sports facilities, and structural limitations that have restricted her opportunities for growth.

Despite achieving first place in her specialized class, Nazila has never been invited to the national team’s training camps—possibly due to issues such as insufficient hijab observance or lack of special connections within the federation. This exclusion has not only prevented her from competing internationally but has also placed pressure on her motivation.

Nazila’s story shows that discrimination in sports—especially against women and people with disabilities—still exists, not in obvious forms, but in the shape of opportunities that are never given.

Boxing is a forbidden sport
2022

In Iran, several thousand female boxers train illegally and secretly in the basements of houses, parks, and underground clubs. In Iran, boxing is forbidden for women, but athletes compete in world championships abroad and often win.
Dr. Mahin Farhadizad, Deputy Minister of Sports in President Rouhani's government, said about the ban on such sports as boxing and powerlifting for women: "We cannot accept a sport that affects the entire body system and physiology of women."

Boxing is a forbidden sport story by has been selected in the Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest in 2022.

After 40 years
2018

Despite sports progress, women in Iran are still prohibited from entering football stadiums. However, a significant milestone was achieved during the 2018 FIFA World Cup when, after 40 years, they were finally granted access to Azadi Stadium in Tehran to experience live football matches.

On March 1st, during a meeting between Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, and Hassan Rouhani, the former president of Iran, the lifting of the ban on women’s presence in stadiums was discussed. Subsequently, selective permits were issued, allowing women to enter sports venues.

The long-awaited opening of the doors at Azadi Stadium coincided with the excitement of the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Families were now able to come together and enjoy the thrill of watching the Iranian national team compete.

After 40 years story by .photos , has been awarded the Grand Prix and First Place of the Paris Sport Photo Festival in 2019.

In Iran, children are drawn to wrestling from a young age with the dream of becoming future champions. However, behind the strength and achievements lies a more complex story: the mental and physical struggles of these athletes. Each competition is not only a test of physical endurance but also a mental challenge, filled with the fear of failure and the thrill of victory. Parents and coaches, too, experience stress and worry alongside the children as they navigate the difficult path of acceptance and growth. These athletes experience resilience, courage, and determination as they face the challenges of the sport.
Photos by / Podium Photos