From Afghan Child Bride to European Bodybuilding Star She is.

On the stage of a European championship, under sparkling lights, stands a woman dressed in a bikini decorated with crystals. Her tan shines under the spotlight, muscles well-defined and sculpted. Every pose is telling its own story of discipline and determination. But behind Roya Karimi's confident smile, there lies an almost unimaginable past: a life once confined by strict traditions that are far from the world she now dominates.

The story of Roya Karimi-a child bride in Afghanistan who became one of the top-ranked female bodybuilders in Europe-is a tale not of physical strength alone but of emotional endurance, courage, and transformation.

A Childhood Stolen by Tradition

Fifteen years ago, Roya's life looked little like it does today. A teenager in Afghanistan, she was married off and became a mother while still very much a child herself. The early years of her life were bookended by the weight of expectation placed on women in conservative Afghan society. Education, freedom, or self-expression were out of the question for her. She was not even allowed to take a walk or exercise freely.

"Every time I go to the gym, I remember that there was a time in Afghanistan when I wasn't allowed even to exercise freely," Roya once shared.

Those years left deep scars but also planted the seeds of defiance within her. She wanted more than the life that was assigned to her. She wanted to breathe freely, move her body without fear, and live without asking for permission.

Escape and New Beginnings

Roya made a very brave and dangerous decision in 2011—fleeing Afghanistan. Leaving her home, husband, and all things known, she managed to escape with her mother and young son, moving to a new beginning in Norway. It was not an easy road. Emigrating to foreign soil tested her in ways beyond compare. She had to learn Norwegian and find work, as well as single-parent raise her son in a country so unlike her own.

But Norway offered what Afghanistan could not-freedom and opportunity. Roya went on to continue her education, training as a nurse and finding work in a hospital in Oslo. For the first time, she had control over her life, no longer someone's property, but Roya-a mother, a woman, and finally, a dreamer.

Finding Strength in Bodybuilding

Her life took yet another turn when she discovered bodybuilding. At first, it was a hobby, one way to manage stress and rebuild her confidence after years of mental and emotional struggle. But the weights became more than metal as time was spent in the gym; they became symbols of empowerment. Every lift was a victory over the past; every repetition, a reminder of how much had been overcome.

It was not just about changing her body; it was about reclaiming her identity.

It was also at the gym that she met Kamal Jalaluddin, a fellow Afghan and a professional bodybuilder. Their shared passion for the sport and mutual respect for each other's journeys blossomed into love. Kamal recognized Roya's potential and encouraged her to pursue bodybuilding professionally.

"Before I met Kamal, I was doing sports, but not at a professional level. His support gave me the courage to choose a competitive and taboo-breaking path," Roya said. "I believe that if a man stands by a woman, amazing things can happen."

Leaving Nursing Behind for a New Dream

Eighteen months ago, Roya took the bold step of quitting her job as a nurse and started focusing full time on bodybuilding. It was a huge gamble: the financial instability of a new sport, the rigorous training demand, and the cultural criticism she received online could have easily held her back. But Roya was used to facing fear.

She explained that the greatest challenge was not the training itself but learning how to live freely after years of restraints. “Our biggest challenge was to break through the boundaries and frameworks that others had set for us—the unwritten rules imposed in the name of tradition, culture, or religion.”

That became her engine. Roya started training relentlessly, perfecting every muscle group, every posture, every routine. And as her body started to take shape, so did her confidence. On stage, the glistening bronze skin and toned physique of her were more than aesthetics; they were symbols of liberation.

Backlash and a Search for Purpose

Her visibility as a strong, independent Afghan woman has raised criticism against Roya. Many voices on conservative online platforms have attacked her appearance: calling her names and even sending threats. Some say she has dishonored her culture. But Roya refuses to give in to hate.

"People only see my appearance and my bikini," she says. "But behind this appearance, there are years of suffering, effort, and perseverance. These successes have not come easily."

The negativity doesn't deter Roya, who reaches out via social media to women in Afghanistan to discuss self-confidence, mental health, and the significance of physical well-being. Her message is deep and resonates in a country where women are now banned from secondary school, many jobs, and even traveling alone without a male guardian since the Taliban returned in 2021.

Roya's story is a reminder that freedom is not simply about geography. It is a state of mind, a belief that one's worth is not defined by cultural restrictions or the roles a society assigns.

Triumph on the European Stage

It wasn't long before Roya's hard work started to pay off: this year, she took on the Stoperiet Open-one of the biggest bodybuilding competitions-and won gold in the Wellness category, a division where the focus is natural fitness and balance rather than pure muscle mass. Her win was quickly followed by another gold at the Norway Classic 2025, one of Scandinavia's most prestigious competitions.

These victories qualified her for the European Championships, where she performed well enough to secure a spot in the World Bodybuilding Championships held in Barcelona.

Backstage, waiting for the contest, Roya spoke with pride and modesty. “It's been such a hard journey throughout this year, but step by step, I managed to achieve gold medals along the way,” she said. Her husband Kamal and her son often cheer her on from the stands, proud witnesses of her strength and persistence.

A Voice for Afghan Women

For Roya, competitions are not only about personal victories but also about the dreams of those Afghan girls who may never have the opportunities she has. “I feel mentally strong and fully ready to give my all, hoping to make history by setting this record in the name of Afghan girls and women for the very first time,” she said.


Her story is one of hope amidst despair, as many Afghan women live in a highly restrictive environment. Roya shows what is possible when courage meets freedom. She challenges decades of discrimination through her achievements and inspires others to push beyond their societal limits.

The Symbol of a New Generation

Roya Karimi is more than just a successful athlete; she symbolizes resilience. Of course, her glittering bikini might reflect the bright lights of a European stage, but her real glow comes from the strength of her journey—from child bride to global inspiration.

Her muscles tell the silent story of defiance, each flex a declaration that says, "I overcame what tried to break me." Roya is no longer a girl confined by ceilings of tradition; she is a woman who built her body and her destiny with her own hands.

She knows she does not walk alone as she strides across the Barcelona stage for the World Bodybuilding Championships, for she carries with her the hopes of every Afghan girl who has ever dreamed of freedom, choice, and strength. Roya's rise is as unstoppable as her spirit.

Image Credit : Instagram