Elnaz Rekabi is a professional Climber from Iran. In 2021 she competed at the IFSC Climbing World Championships and earned the bronze medal in the women’s combined event. Elnaz has also competed at the IFSC Climbing Asian Championships and won a silver medal in 2013 and two Bronze medals in 2014 and 2016.
Crowds Welcome Back Iranian Climber Elnaz Rekabi: Doesn’t Wear Hijab
In October 2022, Elnaz Rekabi, an Iranian female competitive climber, took part in the 2022 IFSC Climbing Asian Championships in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, where she achieved fourth place. During the competition, she did not wear a hijab (a headscarf for women) which is mandatory for women in her country.
Following the incident, Elnaz’s photos without the hijab went viral on social media. This incident came amidst ongoing protests against the government of Iran as a reaction to the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old girl. The Guidance Patrol had arrested Mahsa Amini for wearing an “improper” hijab—violating Iran’s mandatory.
Authorities said that Elnaz left South Korea on Tuesday after competing. Farsi-language media outside of Iran warned her that she may have been forced to leave early by Iranian officials and could face arrest back home, which was quickly denied by Tehran. Further, on 18th October 2022, it was announced that Elnaz had gone missing two days after the tournament.
On the same day she completed it, an Instagram post was posted; the post said that Elnaz would explain everything at a news conference and that she was flying back to Iran along with other squad members. The post also claimed that her headscarf had come off accidentally. In addition, the post said that she competed without the headscarf owing to poor timing and unexpected demand for her to do so.
According to reports from BBC Persian, Elnaz’s passport and mobile phone had been taken away, and her journey back home from Seoul had been rescheduled to leave a day earlier than initially planned.
Elnaz returns to Iran amid fears that she might be punished and jailed for not wearing her hijab while competing. Mahmood Reza Amiry-Moghaddam, the director of Norway-based rights group Iran Human Rights, stated to CNN, “The punishment has already started.”
It is also reported that Daud, her brother, has been arrested after being summoned following the Elnaz hijab controversy.
Meanwhile, Iranian women are protesting the death of Mahsa Amini by taking to the streets, who died after being detained by Iran’s moral police. The women on the streets have defied their headscarves and cut their hair.
Elnaz Rekabi Early Life:
| Full Real Name | Elnaz Rekabi |
| Family Name | N/A |
| Profession | Professional Climber |
| Date Of Birth | August 20th, 1989 |
| Age | 33 years old |
| Birthday | August 20th |
| Year Of Birth | 1989 |
| Nick Name | Elnaz |
| Current Residence | Tehran |
| Country | Iran |
| Nationality | Iranian |
| Ethnicity | Asian |
| Religion | Islam |
Elnaz was born on 20th August 1989 in Zanjan, Iran. She resides in Tehran, Iran. Elnaz belongs to the Asian ethnicity and is of Iranian nationality.
She developed her interest in rock climbing at a young age, and her father always supported her. Elnaz’s elder brother is also a part of the Iranian climbing team.
All siblings’ climbing training started when they were teenagers, and they used to go to the local mountains to practice.
Elnaz Rekabi Family Background:
| Father | N/A |
| Mother | N/A |
| Brothers | Daud |
| Sisters | Nahid |
Elnaz parents’ names are still unavailable in the media. Her family is based in Zanjan, Iran. Further, according to reports, Elnaz has a brother named Daud, an Iranian professional rock climber. She also has a sister named Nahid.
Elnaz Rekabi Education:
| Highest Qualification | Graduation |
| University | Zanjan University |
| High School | N/A |
Elnaz, after high school, graduated with a degree in Geology from Zanjan University.
Elnaz Rekabi Physical stats:
| Weight In Kg | 53kg |
| Height In Feet | 5\’ 6\” |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
Elnaz stands 5′ 6″ tall and weighs around 53kg. She has beautiful silky brown hair and brownish-colored eyes. She regularly excises and has kept her athletic physics active.
Elnaz Rekabi Birth Signs:
| Sun Sign | Leo |
| Star Sign | Leo |
| Birth Sign Duality | Assertive |
| Birth Sign Modality | Fixed |
Elnaz is currently 33, and her birth sign is Leo. Her zodiac symbol is Lion, and her birth sign duality is Assertive. Further, her birth sign modality and element is Fixed Fire.
Elnaz Rekabi Net worth:
| Net Worth | $500 thousand |
Elnaz’s earnings and assets details are unavailable in the media, but by reviewing her career and competitions won, Elnaz’s estimated networth should be around $500 thousand. Currently, her source of income is as a professional climbing player.
Elnaz Rekabi Relationship Status:
| Spouse Name | N/A |
| No Of Children | N/A |
| Marital Status | married |
| Relationship Status | N/A |
Elnaz is married, engaged, or single; nothing is clear. Though some claim she is married, her husband also belongs to Iran.
Elnaz Rekabi Career:
Elnaz, after participating in local competitions for years, finally became part of Iran’s National Climbing Team in 2002. In a country ruled by strict religious rules, women don’t have much freedom to pursue their dreams, but Elnaz, with her hard work and family’s support, became the first Iran female athlete to make it to the IFSC World Cup.
In 2016, in an interview with Euro News, Elnaz accepted that people look at her with surprise whenever she tells anyone that she is a competitive climber. She also revealed that there is no program or sessions to train female climbers in her country, so she had to learn everything herself.
Fighting all the odds, Elnaz has led an inspiring life and has won many medals in various competitions. In the 2013 Asian Championship held in Tehran, Elnaz won a silver medal. Further, she was also third twice in Duyun World Championship and Lombok WC, respectively.
Elnaz Rekabi Social Appearance:
Elnaz has an active profile on Instagram @elnaz.rekabi with around 246K followers. She has posted several pictures, including her climbing competition and practicing candids.
