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.
This story contains references to violence. Please take care while listening.
Thank you, Maria Toorpakai Wazir, for sharing your story with Snap.
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.
Produced by Zahra Noorbakhsh & Nancy López, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, artwork by Teo Ducot
Season 15 - Episode 6
Campfire Tales IX: Dad and the Three Caskets from Spooked
Campfire Tales IX: Dismal Falls from Spooked
The Handoff
Power
Money Truck - Snap Classic
My Mother Made Me from Radiotopia Presents
No Angel
Unseen & Unheard
Mother Nature
Raft of Passion - Snap Classic
The Divine Feminine
The Birth Dream - Snap Classic
Roommate Wanted
Greetings, Prophet! - Snap Classic
The Roughhouse
Danger 9b
Wartime Cats
The Family Name - Snap Classic
Impossible Weight
A Hit Dog Will Holler from Radiotopia Presents
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Stuff You Should Know
On Being with Krista Tippett
TED Radio Hour
Black Beauty
A Tale of Two Cities
Planet Money
The Dinner Party Download