In 2014, she was selected as Iran’s flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony of the Nanjing YOG, going on to win gold in the -63kg division. A year later, the taekwondo world stood up and took notice as Alizadeh first beat reigning Olympic champion Jade Jones in the quarter-finals of the World Championships on her way to a bronze medal, before overcoming the Welshwoman again to clinch gold at the World Grand Prix Series in Moscow.