Raja Hamid Rashid

Iraq - Tayba Fahim, a young Iraqi woman and a senior law student, began her journey in wrestling at the age of thirteen. She has an impressive record of local and international achievements and is considered one of Iraq’s top female wrestlers.

She has won first place in several national tournaments held in Baghdad and was named Iraq’s Best Female Athlete in 2018. She took second place at the Classic Wrestling Championship in Lebanon, and in 2019, she was crowned Champion of Africa and the Arab World at the tournament held in Egypt—becoming the first Iraqi woman to earn a professional wrestling belt.

In 2023, Tayba participated in a championship in Algeria, winning third place and a bronze medal, and in her latest achievement, she took first place and the gold medal at the Makram Al-Qarnami Championship held in Tunisia in 2025.

From Wrestling to Kickboxing

Speaking about her beginnings, Tayba said: “My journey started with freestyle wrestling. I participated in the Classic Championship in Lebanon in 2018 and won second place. After that, I moved on to boxing and kickboxing.”

She added: “This sport isn’t just a hobby for me- it chose me. Many people practice combat sports as a pastime, but for me, this sport runs in my blood. It’s a natural talent that grew with me, and I worked hard to develop it through consistent training. Today, I carry a record full of local and international achievements. I’m proud to have represented my country for thirteen years and to have raised the Iraqi flag high in international arenas.”

Tayba emphasized the importance of effort and perseverance:
“Behind every success, there is hard work. I used to wake up at six in the morning every day to start training. Despite exhaustion and daily challenges, I would return to training after work, driven by passion and determination. The path wasn’t easy- every championship I won came at the cost of my health, time, and energy. But today, I stand proudly, knowing I’ve achieved accomplishments that will remain engraved in the history of Iraqi sports.”

 

Self-Reliance

Tayba explained that many families are hesitant to let their daughters enter physically demanding sports such as wrestling or boxing, viewing them as “male-only” domains:
“I tried my best to achieve what I wanted, despite all the challenges and difficulties.”

“I faced many obstacles- from my family and from society—but that didn’t stop me. On the contrary, it gave me more strength to pursue my dreams and to become a champion nationally and internationally. Women today are taking on roles that were once considered exclusive to men, proving that nothing can stop Iraqi women.”

 

Society’s Perception and Challenges

Tayba highlighted a crucial issue: society’s attitude toward successful women.
“We live in a society that doesn’t easily accept women’s success. Why is that? Why does a woman’s success provoke resistance? How can a man compare himself to a woman—or even challenge her to a physical fight to prove who’s stronger? A real man doesn’t compare himself to a woman.”

“Some people label women in fields like boxing or taxi driving as ‘masculine,’ but that’s far from the truth. Women who choose these paths are proving themselves with skill and confidence, showing that they can succeed in any field they choose.”

She also pointed out: “While some men hesitate to take certain jobs, women don’t. Women work with dedication and often juggle multiple responsibilities and jobs in one day. Iraqi women are educated, aware, and strong- they’ve proven they can face challenges, succeed, and overcome all obstacles.”

 

The Need to Support Female Talent

Tayba expressed her disappointment with the lack of support for women in sports, particularly in individual disciplines like wrestling and kickboxing:
“Unfortunately, women’s roles in combat sports such as wrestling and kickboxing have no clear future in Iraq, despite their immense potential.”

“We haven’t been given enough space to prove ourselves, even though we’ve shown time and again that we can excel. The sports federations themselves suffer from administrative corruption.”

She stressed the importance of providing more opportunities and real support for women in sports: “Women need space and freedom to practice their passions and develop their skills- especially in individual sports. We need real attention and support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Olympic Committee, and all relevant government institutions. There are so many talented women in Iraq who need care, encouragement, and continuous development.”

“If neglect continues, Iraqi sportswomen might be forced to seek opportunities abroad just to find recognition and support. And if that happens, we will lose our foundation for women’s sports altogether.”

 

Determination to Succeed

In a heartfelt message to every Iraqi woman and every ambitious young person, Tayba emphasized the importance of learning from past experiences and finding inspiration in success stories: “I succeeded without giving up my studies. I work to support myself, and I never stopped training or striving to excel in the sport I love.”

“There’s no place for those who try to discourage us or belittle our achievements. We deserve applause for our success- not neglect or discouragement.”

She concluded: “We are a generation that refuses to retreat- a generation that creates impact and leaves a mark. We will never abandon our dreams or goals, no matter how difficult the road may be. Determination is our path, and success is our rightful reward.”