Jahid, Rifat, Rafia, Sabina set the pace at national junior meet

Jahidul Islam and Rifat Sheikh emerged as the fastest boy and adolescent sprinters respectively on the opening day of the 40th National Junior (Age-Group) Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Friday, with both athletes clocking an identical 11.03 seconds to win their respective 100m finals.

Mst Rafia Khatun and Sabina Akter Rubi were also crowned the fastest girl and adolescent girl sprinters respectively after winning gold in their 100m events, clocking 13.06 seconds and 12.40 seconds.

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In the boys’ 100m final, Jahidul of BKSP finished ahead of teammate Bipratip Ahmed Sohag, who was just 0.05 seconds slower, while Wadud Rahman of Rajshahi secured bronze with 11.42 seconds on the electronic timing system.

In the adolescent boys’ 100m, Rifat of BKSP won comfortably ahead of teammate Shipon Mia, who finished 0.17 seconds behind, while Sabuj Sheikh of Ansar & VDP claimed bronze in 11.26 seconds.

In the girls’ 100m, Rafia of BKSP edged Ansar & VDP’s Sree Krisna Rani by 0.10 seconds, with Krishna finishing in 13.16 seconds, while Suborna Khatun of BKSP took bronze in 12.20 seconds.

In the adolescent girls’ 100m, Sabina of Ansar & VDP secured gold in 12.40 seconds, while Mim Akter and Shanzida Afrin Poroshmoni finished second and third in 12.69 and 12.80 seconds respectively.

Two records were broken on the opening day. Mushfiq Hossain of BKSP set a new mark in the field events by clearing 39.58 metres, improving on the previous record of 38.22 metres set by Masum Ahmed of Pabna in 2019.

Khadiza Khanom of Narail also set a new record in the adolescent girls’ 1500m, clocking 5:12.70 to surpass the previous record of 5:15.03 set by Smrity Akter of Kishorganj in 2024.

Out of 15 events decided on the first day, BKSP dominated the standings with 10 gold, five silver and three bronze medals. Bangladesh Ansar and VDP finished second with one gold, five silver and one bronze, while Rajshahi were third with one gold and one silver.