Iranian athlete competing in Asian Sport Climbing Championships without Hijab goes missing

Currently, the Asian Sport Climbing Championships is happening in Seoul. Iranian athlete, Elnaz Rekabi participated in the tournament on 17 October 2022. But, the video went viral as she competed without Hijab. During that participation, she disobeyed the Islamic Republic's restrictions.

She shared that stance as an act of solidarity with the women-led protests. Such protests are raging through Iran following the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini. In Iran, people have been protesting against the hijab for the past month. Fans found the video of her participation interesting as they shared the same and made it viral.

Here is the shared video:

In a historic move, Iranian athlete Elnaz Rekabi who represented Iran at the Asian Climbing Competitions finals in Seoul, competed without hijab, disobeying the Islamic Republic's restrictions for female athletes. pic.twitter.com/KvxE5NoQLi

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) October 16, 2022

Rekabi’s passport and mobile phone have been seized - reports after she competed in Asian Sport Climbing Championships

However, several reports are suggesting that the Iranian athlete, Elnaz Rekabi has gone missing. As per reports by BBC, relatives have failed to contact her in recent hours. Even, some reports suggested that her passport and mobile phone have been seized. Rekabi and other athletes departed from their hotel for the Asian Sport Climbing Championships on 18 October 2022. However, Elnaaz came fourth in the final but won hearts with such a gesture from her.  

But, since then, she has gone missing. Recently, the Norway-based group Iran Human Rights reported that over 120 people have been killed in Tehran in response to the Amini protests. Speaking about such protests, women are also actively participating in this demonstration recently. Regarding the BBC Persian Service correspondent Bahman Kalbasi tweeted, “Women athletes from almost all countries of the world are in sports outfits. On the other hand, Iranian female athletes are being forced to wear hibaaz for the last 43 years. This happens even when playing outside the country.”     

“Historic! Iranian female athlete Elnaz Rekabi entered the final of the Asian climbing competition held in Seoul without a hijab. The hijab has been mandatory for female athletes since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, but Elnaz refused to accept it.” UAE’s Hasan Sajwani tweeted after Rekabi’s viral video.