TEHRAN - Hengameh Hadiani, a member of Iran’s women’s artistic gymnastics team, says her presence at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is not merely a competition but a great honor — one she has carried as an Iranian girl into one of the sport’s biggest stages.
“Being in Nagoya is not just a competition for me; it is a great honor that I am present in such an important arena as an Iranian girl,” Hadiani said.
Reflecting on her path to the national team, Hadiani said she grew up in the gymnastics halls of Mashhad and that almost her entire life has been bound to the sport.
“I always dreamed of wearing the national team shirt and competing in major competitions, and throughout all the years I trained, I believed that one day I would reach this goal,” she said.
She explained that after joining Mashhad’s team, she was invited to the national team camp and, following two selection competitions, earned her place on the national squad.
Her first serious international experience came at the Asian competition in Zunyi, China, where she finished 22nd in the vault among 62 adult athletes — an experience she described as highly valuable and one that strengthened her motivation.
“Being on the national team was truly a dream. I always told myself that one day I would wear the national team shirt and compete for my country in major competitions,” Hadiani said. “After the China competition, I became more convinced that reaching major podiums — even at the world level — is not out of reach.”
On her participation in Nagoya, Hadiani said she wants to compete with all her strength and deliver her best performance.
“I hope my presence in these competitions can pave the way for a stronger presence of Iranian girls in major Asian and world competitions, and that in the future we will see more Iranian female gymnasts on international stages,” she said.