The scent of bowstrings and determination fills the air at Tehran’s Olympic archery range as Paralympic icon Zahra Nemati oversees a new generation of athletes. The four-time medalist, now steering Iran’s para archery program as head coach, has set an ambitious goal: to create complete gender parity in the sport within 18 months.
Breaking Barriers
Standing at the firing line where she made history as Iran’s first female Paralympic gold medalist, Nemati watches intently as 14-year-old wheelchair archer Narges Mohammadi releases an arrow. “She represents our future,” says the coach, adjusting the rookie’s stance. “We’ve identified 12 such talented girls this year alone through nationwide talent searches.”
The numbers tell a story of transformation:
• 2016: Just 5 female para archers nationally
• 2024: 38 women training across provinces
• Target: Equal male-female roster by 2025 Asian Games
Building Champions
Morning training sessions now blend veteran wisdom with cutting-edge tech. Paralympian Ramezan Biabani, 34, shares firing line tips with newcomers while motion-capture cameras analyze each shot. “We’re creating what we never had – a proper pipeline,” explains Nemati, reviewing real-time biomechanical data on her tablet.
The program’s recent successes include:
✓ Three new female archers qualifying for July’s Asian Championships
✓ Custom wheelchair designs improving accuracy by 22%
✓ First-ever junior para archery league launching next month
Remembering a Visionary
The coach pauses at a plaque honoring late architect Farhad Mazloumi, designer of this world-class facility. “Without this range and people like him, we’d still be shooting in parking lots,” she reflects. The venue now hosts daily mixed-gender sessions, its electronic targets witnessing Nemati’s equality mission in action.
As afternoon training concludes, the sound of arrows finding their mark echoes a clear message: Iran’s para archery revolution isn’t just about medals – it’s about making every shot count toward a more inclusive future.
