02-07-2025
Pushing the limits: Life advice from Uzbekistan's Paralympic Champions
'Don't wait for luck,' says Paralympic Champion Asila Mirzayorova. 'Success is 99% hard work, and only 1% luck. In sport – in life – nothing replaces effort.'
Mirzayorova knows about success – she secured the first Gold medal for Uzbekistan at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, while breaking the Paralympic record twice.
In this episode of Changemakers of Uzbekistan, she shares her story of how she began the sport, and gives insight into where her motivation and drive come from.
Another Uzbek Paralympic Champion, Khusniddin Norbekov, shares his journey to winning Gold in the Shot Put event at the Paris Paralympic Games.
Norbekov set a new Paralympic record in Paris with a throw of 16.82 metres.
He says his family and country give him strength to surpass his limits: 'When the anthem of Uzbekistan plays after you've won… you close your eyes, and all the pain disappears.'
