Shawon steals the show
Unheralded Shawon Ahmed emerged champion in 100m sprint of boys' under-19 group in the 34th National Junior Athletic Championships by outclassing two BKSP athletes at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Shawon, participating in national meet at any level for the first time, clocked 11:42 seconds on electronic board to put behind BKSP students Razib Razi and Nadim Molla, who finished the distance with a timing of 11:53s and 11:54s respectively.
The 19-year-old sprinter from Kushtia, who is representing Khulna Division, got interested in athletics with a dream of getting a job in services teams and mitigating poverty of a four-member family. His father Sajjad Hossain works at BRB Cables in Kushtia.
“As we are not well-off, my parents had a dream that I would get a job in services teams through athletics and I tried to do my best,” said Shawon, who had also become first in 100m sprint in an Army trial with a timing of 10:80 seconds (hand timing) on September 18.
Shawon started his athletics career at school level and became champion in 100m and 200m sprints in inter-school competitions at both district and divisional level after being inspired by former long jumper Shaheb Ali.
In girl's section, Rupa Khatun, the fastest girl in under-17 group of last edition, became champion with a timing of 12:67 seconds while her BKSP teammates Sonia Akter (12:75s) and Rony Akter of Mymensing (13:81s) finished second and third respectively.
Meanwhile, Jannatul of BKSP set a new record in under-19 group's high jump event by clearing 1.61 metres. The previous best was 1.55m produced by Laboni Haque of BKSP in 2011.
Tanmoy Baiddya also produced a new record in javelin throw by clearing 55.92m. Previous best was 53.61m.
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