Iranian sprinter Zahra Zarei has set her sights on competing at the Olympic Games after winning silver in the women’s 400 meters at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Zarei secured the silver medal on Saturday, delivering a strong performance for Iran in one of the Games’ major track events.
Speaking after the race, Zarei said she was proud of her achievement and happy to win a medal for her country.
“I feel really good and happy right now. Additionally, I am proud to have won this medal for my country,” she said. “I will try to improve my performance in the future.”
The Iranian athlete also outlined her ambitions for the next stage of her career. She said qualifying for the Olympics has now become one of her main goals.
“I have set my goal on being at the Olympics from now on,” Zarei said. “I will try to get better day by day and earn my place at the Olympics.”
Zarei also discussed her competition with Bahrain’s Salwa Naser, who won the gold medal in the 400 meters. Naser is an Olympic and world-level sprinter and has represented Bahrain internationally.
The Iranian runner said competing against experienced athletes had made the event challenging for Asian runners.
Zarei dedicated her Asian Games medal to people in Iran and expressed hope that her achievement would bring them happiness.
“I dedicate my medal to the people of my country, and I hope this medal has made them happy,” she said.
The silver medal gives Zarei further motivation as she looks toward international competitions and her long-term Olympic ambitions.