Genghis Khan

Published: Feb. 8, 2024, 10:58 p.m.

From the heart of Waziristan, the legend of Genghis Khan is being rewritten... on the squash court. Maria Toorpakai Wazir was raised as a boy, and took on everyone and everything - neighborhood bullies, Peshawar weightlifters, and all the rules about who should be able to compete.

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This story contains references to violence. Please take care while listening.

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Thank you, Maria Toorpakai Wazir, for sharing your story with Snap.

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In 2011, Maria moved to Toronto to train with Jonathon Power, a world champion in men's squash. Maria writes about this and so much more in her book: A Different Kind of Daughter: The Girl Who Hid from the Taliban in Plain Sight. She has also set up the Maria Toorpakai Foundation encouraging families to educate girls and allow them to play sports.

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Produced by Zahra Noorbakhsh & Nancy L\xf3pez, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, artwork by Teo Ducot

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Season 15 - Episode 6