Athletes Return from London 2012

OliKolm

Thousands of fans, and Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq welcomed the athletes at the Kabul International Airport today.

Afghan athletes returned to Kabul on Tuesday morning from London with a bronze medal in the London 2012 Olympic games.

Thousands of fans, government officials and Members of Parliament welcomed the athletes at the Kabul International Airport today.

Rohullah Nikpai, a bronze medalist in the men’s 68 kilogram taekwondo category, received his second bronze medal on Friday morning after his first bronze in Beijing in 2008.

“I’m very happy because I have broguht this medal to Afghanistan and I congratulate all Afghans,” Nikpai said.

Nikpai overcame Team GB’s Martin Stamper 5-3 in the bronze medal match.

Thousand of Afghans holding the national flag welcomed the athletes while shouting, “Nikpai, Nikpai.”

The 25-year-old became a national hero after winning Afghanistan’s first ever Olympic medal four years ago in Beijing when he stunned world flyweight champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain to take the bronze in the men’s 58 kg category.

Six athletes in taekwondo, boxing, and athletics competed at London 2012, which began on July 27.

Tahmina Kohistani ran in the women’s 100 meter heat August 3 but did not qualify. However, she was hopeful that her “participation at the Olypics has motivated other Afghan woman to join the next games ,” she said.

More than 200 countries participated in the London 2012 games. The US won 48 gold medals and China came in second with 38 gold medals.