On stage in a sparkling crystal bikini, 30-year-old Roya Karimi shines under the bright lights. Her tanned, well-defined muscles show the result of countless hours of hard training. With golden hair and professional makeup, she looks like someone preparing for a Miss Universe event rather than a survivor of one of the toughest journeys imaginable.
Only fifteen years ago, Roya was a teenage mother in Afghanistan, forced into child marriage. Today, she is one of Europe’s rising bodybuilding stars and is preparing to compete in the World Bodybuilding Championship in Barcelona this week. Her transformation is nothing short of extraordinary.
Escaping a Life of Restrictions
Roya began her new life after fleeing Afghanistan in 2011 with her mother and young son. At the time, she was determined not to live under the strict social rules that controlled her childhood and teenage years.
Life in Norway, where she sought asylum, was a complete contrast to what she had known. She had to learn a new language, adapt to a modern society, and support her family financially. Those early years were difficult, but she slowly found her footing.
She continued her studies, trained to become a nurse, and eventually began working at a hospital in Oslo.
Discovering Bodybuilding
Roya’s turning point came when she started going to the gym. What began as a form of physical exercise soon became a way to rebuild her confidence and identity. Bodybuilding gave her a sense of freedom she had never experienced in Afghanistan, where women were rarely allowed to exercise openly.
During her fitness journey, she met Kamal Jalaluddin another Afghan living in Norway and a longtime bodybuilder. Kamal later became her husband and strongest supporter.
Roya says Kamal encouraged her to enter the sport professionally. Before meeting him, she only viewed bodybuilding as a hobby. With his support, she found the courage to pursue a path that many considered unconventional for Afghan women.
Facing Criticism and Threats
Choosing bodybuilding was not easy. Roya has faced criticism and even threats from those who believe women should not participate in the sport. But she refused to give up, saying bodybuilding helped her break the mental and social chains that restricted her for so many years.
Her story is especially powerful because of the worsening conditions for women in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, girls above 12 have been banned from attending school. Most jobs are closed to women, they cannot travel long distances without a male guardian, and they are not allowed to speak loudly in public.
Roya considers herself fortunate to have escaped. But she says her heart aches for the millions of Afghan women who are still denied basic human rights.
A Year of Major Wins
Roya’s hard work has brought remarkable success in a short time. In April this year, she won the Wellness category gold medal at the Stoperiet Open in Norway. The category focuses on natural fitness, symmetry, and a healthy appearance rather than extreme muscularity.
Soon after, she won the Norway Classic 2025, a major event featuring athletes from across Scandinavia. She then competed in the European Championship, which helped her qualify for the upcoming World Championship.
Her husband and son cheer for her at every competition, calling her victories the fulfillment of a dream they built together.
Competing for Herself and for Afghan Women
Roya says the upcoming World Championship is not just about personal achievement. She wants to represent Afghan girls and women who still live under strict restrictions.
“I feel mentally strong and ready to give everything I have,” she says. “I want to make history in the name of Afghan women.”
From a child bride escaping danger to a professional athlete on the world stage, Roya Karimi’s journey is a powerful reminder of resilience, courage, and the endless possibilities that open up when women are given the freedom to choose their own path.
