Zahra Nemati wants to change the world around her 

Zahra Nemati had one dream: to qualify for the Olympics.

And with a black belt in taekwondo, she was determined to live out that dream.

"My dream was to participate in the Olympic Games, and I could not let it go," Nemati revealed to Olympics.com.

But when a car accident left her with life-changing injuries, achieving that goal felt like a world away.

That was until she found archery, and it changed everything.

Nemati went on to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games, just as she had always dreamed of doing.

She won gold in London, and the rest is history.

The 36-year-old does not want to be reduced to being "just and Iranian and a para-archer" as she revealed during an interview with Tokyo2020.org

"I'm here as an advocate of human rights in Iran. I've delivered once a lecture about human rights for women in Iran and other parts to promote activities of women."

Nemati is now at her third Paralympic Games, on course to defend the title she won in both London and Rio.

"I would like everybody to know that Zahra Nemati never gave up and always stayed determined and never withdrew from her goals," she told Olympics.com.

Nemati also considers archery as a metaphor on how we should live our life.

"Life has messages for us and archery has one too. One of the crucial messages of archery is that once you shoot the arrow (and aim for) the gold, you cannot think about (it anymore) - it is the past (and that's why) we cannot think about it again," she shared with Tokyo2020.org.

How Nemati went from taekwondo to archery

Despite being a natural at archery, it wasn't always the sport in the forefront of Zahra Nemati's mind.

In fact, she used to compete in taekwondo before being paralysed in a car accident.

"Because it wasn't possible for me to continue with taekwondo and I had to finish with taekwondo, due to that [car] accident," she told Olympics.com

"It was impossible [to qualify for the Paralympics in taekwondo], because I had to use my legs, and after the accident I sustained a spinal injury, so I stopped taekwondo forever."

In 2006, Nemati found archery - and it injected a sense of hope that she could achieve her Olympic dream once again.

Within six months of taking up the sport, she finished third in the National Championships competing against able-bodied athletes.

"I found archery so amazing because I understood that I can take part in the Olympics and Paralympics in this field sport and this was a special advantage for me.

"And of course archery is a unique field sport because it needs both efficient physical and mental skills.

At Rio 2016, Nemati managed to represent Iran at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

But to participate at the Olympics in particular meant so much more than winning a medal there.

"It was marvellous for me when I could qualify for the Olympic Games, and in that time winning an Olympic medal was not fascinating anymore.

"And as a more crucial target I wanted to motivate many people all around the world and make them feel hopeful by my presence in the Olympic Games."

Breaking barriers in sport

Stubborn, hopeful, and always happy.

Those are the three words that Zahra Nemati would use to describe herself.

But she's also a history maker too.

At London 2012, Nemati became the first Iranian woman to win a gold medal at either the Olympic or Paralympic Games.

In her own words, she represents Iranian women - and she continues to tear down barriers, more recently winning IPC's International Women's Day recognition award.

"My message to all women all around the world is to never give up in your life, and don't forget your dreams," said Nemati.

"It was so touching for me [to win the award] and I think it does not belong to me individually - this is for all athletes among female participants."

And even though Nemati is focused on winning more Paralympic titles, she wants to continue inspiring women around the world.

"My mission is to keep marching on, in my journey, full of hope and strength.

"And with this can remind all women, that you can remain optimistic regarding your steps towards your goals."

Who inspires Zahra Nemati?

Nemati is a role model for many but who does she look up to?

She's inspired by Michael Phelps, and fellow Iranian Siamand Rahman.

"Michael Phelps always stayed on the path to success," she said.

"And Siamand Rahman was like him.

"Siamand always used to keep smiling although his weights were too heavy, and he had a kind heart."

Hopes for Tokyo 2020

After winning gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016 in the women's individual recurve W2, Nemati is aiming to defend her title in Tokyo 2020.

And although the postponement of the Games meant missing the chance to qualify for both the Olympics and Paralympics for a second time, she's focused on winning another title.

"I'm going to do my best to win the third consecutive gold medal," she told Olympics.com.

"I hope that I can be inspirational like before by winning the third gold medal."

But even without the medals at the end of the competition, Nemati is motived to compete in archery because of the positive impact it can have.

"In that time [beginning in the sport], archery itself was motivation for me and the more time passed, and I realised that my decision to remain active in the sport can have a positive effect on other people's lifestyles, this made me more motivated.

"Now I can see many people are expecting my achievements, and creating history, so I do my best not to make them disappointed."

You can watch Zahra Nemati defend her title at the Paralympics on Thursday (September 2nd), from 11:45 JST.

Find out where you can watch all the action here.