Erbil, Kurdistan Region - The skies over Mount Zawa in southern Duhok became the stage for an exhilarating paragliding championship, drawing 85 athletes from across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The four-day event, organized by the Iraqi Paragliding Federation, is being held in the scenic mountainous terrain, renowned for its ideal conditions for the sport.

A Historic First: 13-Year-Old Rozhîn Farîd Takes Flight

The tournament’s biggest surprise was the participation of Rozhîn Farîd, a 13-year-old girl from Halabja, who stood out as the only female competitor and the youngest participant.

Rozhîn, who has been paragliding since the age of eight, credits her father—a paragliding trainer—for inspiring her passion. "I told my father I wanted to compete, and he supported me. Now, I train every day," she told Rudaw Media Network.

Confident and determined, she added, "I feel incredible, and inshallah, I will win first place."

Strict Competition Rules: Precision is Key

The championship follows a rigorous scoring system, with each participant performing four jumps in the initial phase. Only the highest scorers advance, with judges focusing on accuracy in landing at the designated "zero point" at the base of Mount Zawa.

Ahmed Ramadan, a tournament supervisor, explained that 18 clubs are competing, each fielding five athletes. "To qualify for national playoffs, jumpers must launch from 250-300 meters and hit the target precisely," he said.

Close Calls and High Hopes

For many competitors, mere centimeters determine success or setback. Rebin Rashid, one of the participants, narrowly missed his mark by one centimeter in a previous jump. "This time, I was six centimeters off—but I’m improving," he said, remaining optimistic.

Meanwhile, Hiwa Mohammed, another contender, reported strong results after three jumps. "My morning round was my best yet," he said.

A Gateway to National Representation

The championship serves as a qualifying event for Iraq’s national paragliding team, with top performers earning the chance to represent the country in international competitions.

With its breathtaking backdrop and fierce competition, the tournament highlights Iraq’s growing interest in adventure sports—and the inspiring rise of young talents like Rozhîn Farîd, who is breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport.