A Historic Milestone in Iranian Mountaineering
Iranian mountaineer Afsaneh Hesamifard has etched her name in the annals of mountaineering history. By summiting Mt. Cho Oyu (8,188 m) in Tibet, she became the first Iranian woman — and the second Iranian overall, after Azim Gheichisaz — to complete the feat of climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks.
The Cho Oyu Triumph
The Iranian Mountaineering and Sport Climbing Federation confirmed that Hesamifard reached the peak of Cho Oyu, located approximately 20 km west of Everest. With this ascent, she officially closed the last chapter in her 14-peak campaign at high altitude.
As a result, she now stands among the elite few climbers worldwide who have scaled all 14 eight-thousanders — and she joins Azim Gheichisaz as the only Iranian ever to do so.
A Landmark for Women’s Sport in Iran
The president of the Iranian Mountaineering Federation hailed Hesamifard’s achievement as a “historic, unprecedented record for women’s sports in Iran,” stressing that her perseverance and courage have pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible for female Iranian mountaineers.
Her journey — marked by years of dedication, training, and high-altitude trials — now stands as an inspiration to athletes, especially women in Iran, eager to break new ground.
The Path to 14 Summits
Hesamifard’s path to this moment was steep and demanding. According to coverage, she previously summited Kangchenjunga and Dhaulagiri during 2025, with Cho Oyu being her third eight-thousander of the year. In 2022, she also conquered Everest and K2, making history along the way.
A physician by profession, Hesamifard hails from Sabzevar, Iran, and holds a medical degree. Her dual identity as a doctor and high-altitude mountaineer adds depth to her narrative — one of courage, discipline, and ambition.
With Cho Oyu behind her, the mountaineering world now celebrates her among the most accomplished climbers on Earth — and Iran celebrates a new heroine in the heights.