International Women’s Day celebrates Iran’s first women triathlete – Shirin Gerami
In conjunction with International Women’s Day, we celebrate inspiring fit women around the world, with none other than, Shirin Gerami – the first woman to represent Iran in a triathlon.
Taking the world by storm, Shirin has been taking to the multi-discipline swimming, cycling and running sport, while donning a ‘hijab’ (a head covering worn in public by some Muslim women)
Triathlon has definitely affected me as a human being. I feel it has given me a more positive outlook on life, and given me more confidence in working hard towards my goals.
As a woman, the biggest challenges are constant labelling, stereotyping, and boxing into how/what/who I ought to be, and the challenge of concentrating on who I am and the person I want to grow into, rather than binding myself to what other people expect and assume me to be.
What do you wish you’d known when you started triathlon? What’s your best tip for a first-time female triathlete?
I have loved the journey exactly as it has been. The thrill and curiosity of the unknown, the surprises, the growth, the ups, downs and up-side downs. Passing on what Paula Newby Fraser has always told me: “don’t overthink it.”
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