Afghanistani taekwondo specialist Rohullah Nikpai has an ambitious goal: He wants to kick open the way for peace in his country.
The 21-year-old made history Wednesday at the Beijing Olympics, when he claimed a bronze that was his country's first ever.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who followed from Kabul the combat between Nikpai and Spanish favourite Juan Antonio Ramos, called his countryman over the telephone to congratulate him and to promise him a prize upon his return: a house in the capital.
Afghan Sports Minister Mohammad Anwar Jekdalek, who is also the president of the Afghan National Olympic Committee, celebrated Nikpai's victory at the gymnasium in the University of Science and Technology in Beijing, the dpa reported.
"This is one of the most important moments in my life and in our country's history," Jekdalek told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
On the tatami, Nikpai inflicted on Ramos - not fully recovered from a knee injury - a merciless series of very violent blows, to seal his triumph 4-1.
When he left the tatami, he seemed to be a different person. Bowing, with a timid smile, he only said three sentences to reporters: "These are my first Olympic Games. This medal is also the first for our country. I am very happy."
Later, at the press conference, Nikpai expressed the hope that the medal sends "a message of peace" to war-torn Afghanistan.
"After more than 30 years of war, that medal is very important. It is a message of peace," said the young man, who started practicing taekwondo at age 10, alongside his brother Habib.
This was also the hope that Jekdalek expressed.
"After 30 years of war, that medal is a masterpiece," the minister told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
However, the Afghan official dared dream of another medal in taekwondo through world vice champion Bahave Nesar Ahmad, who was set to compete Thursday in the 68 kilogramme category.
"Taekwondo is one of the most popular sports in Afghanistan, alongside football and wrestling," Jekdalek explained.
He said Nikpai's medal combat was shown live on television in the Asian country, although many people could not watch it.
"In many places there is a shortage of electricity. Where there is electricity, everyone followed it live."
One of the people who got to celebrate with Nikpai from a distance was President Karzai.
"He called (Nikpai) over the phone and told him three things: first, he congratulated him; secondly, he told him he would like to be the first to congratulate him when he arrives in Kabul; and last he promised to give him a house."