Abdullah's surprise

Abdullah Hasan of Natore and Tamanna Akter of BKSP became the fastest youth athletes of the country when they snatched the gold medals in the 100m sprint in the 18-19 age group categories of the Walton 30th National Junior Athletics Championship at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Abdullah, who never won any gold medal in a national event, beat the odds-on-favourite Uzzal Chandra Shutradhar of Kishorgonj to snatch the gold, clocking at a time of 11.10 seconds. Uzzal finished the race 0.10 seconds behind Abdullah clocking 11.20 seconds while and Saiful Ismail of BKSP finished third by clocking 11.22 seconds.
“This is my first national level gold. I had won the silver medal last year in this competition,” said an ecstatic Abdullah, who claimed he got very little support from his district sports association for this meet. “I have the ingrained qualities of a sprinter which made me excel and I hope to take the success to the senior level as well.”
Tamanna, who won the gold in the women's youth category, has it in her genes as she happens to be the granddaughter of former athlete and coach Kitab Ali. Tamanna, who had earlier won the 200m and 400m gold, completed a treble by winning the 100m sprint in 12.94 second. The race was competed by only three participants. Bonna Khatun of Narail finished second clocking 14.20 seconds while Rimpa Khatun of the same district Narail finished third at a time of 14.40 seconds.
Meanwhile, BKSP finished top of the medals tally in the two-day meet with 16 gold, nine silver and two bronze medals while Khulna DSA finished second with five gold, six silver and four bronze medals. Narayangonj DSA finished third with three gold and one bronze medals.