BKSP athlete Ashrafuzzaman Rochi set a new national record in the boys’ 100m sprint (Under-17) to become the fastest boy in the opening day of the Walton 30th National Junior (Age-Group) Athletics Championship 2014 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The day belonged to the BKSP athletes as Disha Sultana clinched the gold medal in the girls’ 100m sprint (U-17) event in her maiden appearance in the national junior championship.
Ashrafuzzaman clocked 10.70s to break the previous record which was clocked at 11.06s. Irfan, also hailing from BKSP, finished second with a timing of 11.30s while Sultan Sanjid of Noakhali clinched third spot with a timing of 11.40s.
Ashrafuzzaman, the 5” 8.5’ lad from Bagerhat, broke into tears after he crossed the finishing line and through his shaded eyes the young BKSP pupil was looking for his mentors. “I have suffered injuries in my hamstring five times in the last two months. I never thought I would finish first. All credit goes to BKSP and my instructors there,” said Ashrafuzzaman, who reserved special mention for coach Abdullah Hel Kafi. Ashrafuzzaman went on to express his desire of winning the gold medal in the South Asian Games.
Meanwhile in the girls’ 100m sprint, Disha Sultana clocked 13.20s to beat Ayesha Akter from Gaibandha and BKSP’s Tanjila Akter. “This is the first time I have participated in the national junior athletics. I want to thank BKSP for all the support and encouragement which makes me what I’m today,” said Disha, who is currently studying in class nine and joined BKSP in March last year.
Disha is aiming to win four gold medals in the two-day long tournament as she will also take part in three more events - 200m sprint, long jump and 4*100m relay. The girl from Manikganj was convinced she will at least clinch gold in the first two events.
Meanwhile in the day’s other events, Tamanna Akter of BKSP, who happens to be the granddaughter of former athlete and current referee Ketab Ali, bagged gold in the 200m sprint in the girls’ 18-19 age-group taking 26.80s to complete her run. Sabiha Al Sohra and Bonna Khatun became second and third respectively.
In the boys’ (U-17) high jump, Ashraful Haque won the gold medal while Ibad Ali and Habibur Rahman claimed silver and bronze respectively.
BKSP’s Tahmina Akter, Laboni Akter and Jobayda were placed first, second and third respectively in the girls’ (U-17) shotput event. Sultana Razia of Khulna bagged gold in the javelin throw in the girls’ 18-19 age-group. Md Ibrahim of Noakhali won gold in the boys’ (18-19) age-group shotput while Smrity Khatun came first in the girls’ high jump.
