Women Wushu Athlete Sells Gold Medal to Help Quake Victims

Khadijeh Azadpour, Iranian kungfu practitioner, sold her Asian Championship gold medal at the weekend to help raise funds for victims in the quake-stricken areas of Kermanshah Province, western Iran.

A 7.3 magnitude quake jolted Kermanshah Province on November 12. The quake killed more than 500 people and left over 10,000 injured and homeless.

Azadpour sold the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Championships gold medal for 20 billion Rials ($480,000) to build a hospital in the quake-affected area.

“This medal is valuable for me,” the wushu athlete told ISNA. “Winning the medal was an evolution in Iranian women’s sport”. After her medal, more women athletes were encouraged to take part in the international events and bring glory for the country.

“I’m glad that I have the honor of starting the movement. I sold my medal and will donate the money to the people in quake-stricken areas of Kermanshah,” she was quoted by the news agency as saying.