Afghanistan's first female breakdancer sets sights on Paris Olympics

Manizha Talash,18, practises breakdancing during a training session in Kabul, Afghanistan January 10 2021. Picture taken January 10, 2021. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

KABUL (Reuters) - When 18-year old Manizha Talash joined a small but ardent breakdancing community in Afghanistan a few months ago she was the only woman, but she already aims to represent her country in one of the latest sports to be admitted to the Olympics.

Dressed head to ankle in black for training, Talash wouldn't look out of place in a dance studio anywhere in the world, but in Afghanistan's conservative, Islamic society she stands out for being courageous enough to pursue her dream.