Viana Karwan Jamil, a young Kurdish kickboxer from Erbil, has won first place at the 2026 Uzbekistan Kickboxing World Cup, marking a major achievement for women’s sports in the Kurdistan Region.
Jamil, an 11th-grade student at an all-girls high school in Erbil, represented Iraq and Alaa Sports Club at the international competition, held in Tashkent from October 13 to 18 under the supervision of the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO).
According to an interview published by Hawler Newspaper on October 29, Jamil reached the final after winning her opening match. She then defeated an Uzbek opponent whom she described as ranked third in the world, securing the top position and a gold medal.
Jamil said she had been interested in kickboxing from an early age because her father was a coach in the sport. What began as a childhood activity gradually developed into a personal passion and a serious sporting ambition.
Her journey to the championship was not without difficulties. She said the team faced visa problems, long transit journeys, and physical exhaustion while traveling to Uzbekistan. However, she added that their determination to achieve their goals helped them overcome these challenges.
Jamil credited her two experienced coaches, Alaa Sports Club, and her family for supporting her development and helping her reach the international stage.
Alongside her sporting career, she has also maintained strong academic performance. The young athlete said she has managed to balance her training schedule with her studies and remains among the top students in her class.
Beyond her personal achievement, Jamil hopes her success will encourage more Kurdish girls to participate in sports, including martial arts. She also called on the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Ministry of Education to give greater attention to sports development among children and invest in stronger sporting infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Jamil said she plans to continue improving her skills and is ready to represent Iraq in future international competitions.
Her achievement offers an encouraging example of how young Kurdish women can pursue ambitious goals in sports while continuing their education.
