(Pictured l to r: Roya Shafai with Canadian Champion Margot Chevalier. Submitted photo)
Two years ago Roya Shafai was a member of Afghanistan’s National Judo team.
That was before the country was taken over by the Taliban and women were not allowed to compete in sports or go to school among other activities females take for granted in other parts of the world including Canada.
Last September Roya moved to Belleville and is currently on an Athletic Scholarship at Loyalist College. She is sponsored by the Women Leaders of Tomorrow program for Afghanistan women.
Sensei Gilbert Mooney reached out to Shafai to sponsor her as a member of the Quinte Judo Club in Frankford.
Last weekend (June 1st) she competed in Canada for the first time at a Judo tournament in Peterborough.
Per Gilbert Mooney: “This was the first time Peterborough had run a full-size tournament in many years, and while there was no one in her weight category, she was willing to move up to the next weight level for an exhibition match. As it turned out, she was paired up against the Canadian Champion for that division, Margot Chevalier.
Roya made a great attempt with a counter technique in her 1st match, nearly throwing her opponent for a point. Unfortunately, her counter throw was countered on the way down by this much stronger opponent to end the match. In the second match the Canadian Champion took no chances & moved quickly to throw Roya onto her back. The silver medal was a great experience for Roya”.
