Iranian taekwondo athlete Maryam Khodabandeh captured the silver medal in the women’s individual poomsae event at the 2025 Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo. She says the moment she saw Iran’s flag rise above the podium, all the exhaustion and years of sacrifice instantly faded away.
A Moment That Made the Struggle Worth It
For Maryam Khodabandeh, standing on the podium felt like something far deeper than athletic success. After years of intense training and long periods away from her family, earning a silver medal at the Deaflympics became the emotional payoff she had dreamed of. “When I stood on the podium and saw my country’s flag, every bit of fatigue disappeared,” she said.
Delivering Her Best in a High-Level Final
Khodabandeh’s path to silver came through one of the competition’s most challenging events. In the final round of the women’s individual poomsae, she scored 8.383 against her South Korean opponent—an achievement that secured her place among the top performers of the 2025 Games. She recalled spending hours before the competition mentally preparing herself. With nearly all athletes arriving in peak condition, she focused heavily on rhythm, precision, and perfect technique.
Shared Glory: Bronze in Mixed Poomsae
Her success didn’t stop there. Khodabandeh also won a bronze medal in the mixed-pair poomsae, performing alongside teammate Morteza Rezasefat. She emphasized how meaningful this achievement was because synchronized poomsae requires extreme teamwork and unity. The pair trained tirelessly to align their movements and timing, and seeing that effort rewarded on the international stage was especially satisfying.
A Grueling Road to Tokyo
Reflecting on her preparation, Khodabandeh described the final months of training as “relentless,” both physically and mentally. For deaf athletes, she noted, coordination and communication demand additional focus. Still, the coaching team supported them with professionalism and dedication, helping guide the athletes through the most demanding stages of their journey.
Pushing Forward: Goals Beyond the Medals
Despite earning two medals, Khodabandeh sees this accomplishment as only the beginning. She plans to continue competing internationally and aims not just for medals but for flawless performances in future events.
Inspiration for the Next Generation
Khodabandeh hopes her achievements motivate young deaf athletes to pursue their aspirations with confidence. “We can show that limitations are not barriers,” she said. “With faith and effort, anything is possible.”
Part of Iran’s Growing Medal Tally
Her silver medal contributed to Iran’s expanding total of 15 medals at the 2025 Deaflympics, a count that includes her mixed-pair bronze with Rezasefat. The results marked an important milestone for Iran’s taekwondo delegation, which performed strongly throughout the competition.