Iran’s Nemati secures Rio 2016 Olympic qualifying spot

"[Sunday] is considered to me as a historical day," Nemati said. "I do my best to catch honours in Olympic and Paralympic Games simultaneously. I am so happy to get that since I motivate all archers in my country."

Iran's Zahra Nemati has secured a historic slot for her country at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games following her performance at the Asian Archery Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sunday (8 November).

The competition was the first of five continental qualification tournaments to the Olympic Games and awarded six new nations places to Rio 2016.

Nemati, who became the first woman from her country to win an Olympic or Paralympic gold medal at London 2012, took silver in the women's recurve in Bangkok.

"[Sunday] is considered to me as a historical day," Nemati said. "I do my best to catch honours in Olympic and Paralympic Games simultaneously. I am so happy to get that since I motivate all archers in my country."

"I will remain here in Thailand to support the [para-archers] when they come here to [seek a] slot for the Rio Paralympic Games. It is not the end since I made achieved my dreams more than I could imagine."

Iranian National Paralympic Committee (NPC) President Mahmoud Khosravi Vafa praised Nemati, pointing to the victory in Thailand as a memorable day for the Paralympic Movement in the country.

In a press conference he said the victory was an opportunity for the country to secure more slots toward the Games.

"It was beyond the sports. I hereby congratulate the IRI NOC [National Olympic Committee] and Ministry of Sport and Youth,” he said.

Iran NPC has also received congratulatory messages from the National Olympic Committee President, and from across the sporting community in the country.

Nemati will remain in Bangkok to support her teammates who are competing at the 2015 World Archery Asian Para Championships which begin on Tuesday (10 November).