Career
He is an ethnic Hazara. Nikpai started his training in Kabul, Afghanistan, at the age of 10. During the bloody civil war over the capital city, his family left the city and settled in one of Iran"s many Afghan refugee camps.
He returned to Kabul in 2004 and continued his training at the government provided Olympic training facility.
At the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar Nikpai competed in the flyweight division where he was defeated by eventual silver medalist Nattapong Tewawetchapong of Thailand in round 16. He became a national hero, returning to Afghanistan and getting off the plane to be met with a crowd of many thousands.
Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai immediately called to congratulate Nikpai. He also awarded him a house, car, and other luxuries at the government’s expense.
"I hope this will send a message of peace to my country after 30 years of war," Nikpai said.
