Paris Olympian swimmer Samiul Islam Rafi broke his own national record to set a new one in the men’s 50m backstroke event during the opening day of Max Group 33rd National Swimming, Diving & Water Polo Championship 2024 held at Syed Nazrul Islam National Swimming Complex in Mirpur Saturday.
The 19-year old, representing Bangladesh Navy, clocked 26.79 seconds (hand-timing) to replace his previous record of 26.90s which he recorded last year, according to a press release by Bangladesh Swimming Federation.
Navy’s Mohammad Noor Alam finished second, taking 27.89s, while Bangladesh Army’s swimmer Mohammad Abu Salek placed third with a timing of 28.11s.
Three more national records were set on the first day as Navy’s swimmer Juthy Akter broke her 2021 record to set new one in the women’s 50m backstroke.
She clocked 32.74s, 0.01s less than her previous record.
Army’s Romana Akter set new record in women’s 100m breaststroke event.
She took 1:18.27 to break previous record of 1:19.00 set by Navy’s Moriam.
In the men’s 200m butterfly event, Kajol Mia of Navy set a new national record of 2:09.41, outracing the previous one of 2:10.25 set by him last year.
A total of 550 athletes from 69 teams are participating in the competition.