When Manizha Talash first saw a video of a man spinning on his head, she knew she had found her calling. The street dance style known as breaking captivated her, and from that moment, she was determined to master it. But pursuing her dream came with immense risks. It forced her to flee Afghanistan, leave her family behind, and conceal her identity. Now, as she prepares to step onto the world stage at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Manizha’s journey reflects her unyielding spirit and determination to become Afghanistan’s first female breaker.
A Journey Through Adversity
Manizha’s path to breaking wasn’t straightforward. Before discovering her passion for dance, she had tried shoot boxing, a Japanese martial art combining wrestling and kickboxing. She took up the sport as a way to protect herself while helping her father sell groceries on the streets of Kabul. However, her hopes were dashed when she broke her shoulder after only a few matches, forcing her to give up the sport.
At 17, everything changed when she stumbled upon a breaking video online. The powerful moves and dynamic energy spoke to her in a way nothing else had. She soon found the Superiors Crew, a breaking collective based in Kabul, and eagerly visited their training club in western Kabul. What she found wasn’t what she expected. The club was filled with boys, and the environment was daunting. The crew’s coach, Jawad Saberi, had his doubts about Manizha. “She was so small,” he recalls. “I was doubtful because there were other b-girls who didn’t stay long.”
But Manizha was determined. Despite the risks and the societal judgment she faced, she persevered. The road was anything but smooth. In December 2020, a car bomb exploded near the club, a terrifying reminder of the violence tearing through Afghanistan. Still, Manizha returned to training. Her resilience impressed Jawad, who saw in her the determination to reach the Paris 2024 Olympics. “We were under attack, but she came back,” he says. “I saw that she had a dream to go to Paris 2024—she was fighting for it.”
The Struggle Intensifies
As the situation in Afghanistan worsened, Manizha’s life became even more perilous. Her father was abducted by insurgents, and she became the main breadwinner for her family, saving whatever she could for her training. But the dangers were closing in. The club was eventually forced to shut down after security forces discovered a would-be suicide bomber staking out the location. The threat was too great to ignore.
Yet, Manizha didn’t give up on breaking. She did, however, take precautions, changing her last name to Talash, meaning "effort" or "hard work" in Farsi, to protect her family from potential threats due to her involvement in the sport. When the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, the situation became untenable. Women and girls were barred from public spaces, and music and dancing were effectively banned. Manizha knew she had to leave Afghanistan if she wanted to survive.
A New Life in Spain
Manizha, along with some members of the Superiors Crew, including Jawad, fled to Madrid, Spain. There, they found work and continued to train wherever they could—on the streets, in shopping malls, and in local clubs. But the challenges of being a refugee weighed heavily on Manizha. She grappled with questions about the future of Afghan women and her own purpose.
Knowing that representing Afghanistan in the Olympics was no longer possible, Manizha discovered she could compete for the Refugee Olympic Team, a group of athletes whose home countries are too dangerous to return to due to conflict. In May 2024, she was selected to represent the Refugee Team at the Paris Olympics. “When they announced my name, I was happy and upset all at once,” she says. “I was sad because when I left Afghanistan, I had to leave my family behind.”
A Dream Realized
Just as she was preparing for her Olympic debut, Manizha received the news she had been hoping for—her family had safely fled Afghanistan and joined her in Spain. After two years of separation, they were finally reunited. While Manizha admits she may not take home a medal from Paris, her goal isn’t just about winning. “I’ll compete for my friends and for their dreams and hopes,” she says.
For Manizha Talash, the journey to the Olympics has been one of resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering determination. Her story is a testament to the strength of Afghan women, who refuse to be silenced or defeated. “Whatever pressure you put on an Afghan girl—restrict her, or even imprison her—she’ll definitely find a way out and will definitely achieve her goals. We fight, and we will win.”