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Swimmer Mahfuza earns Bangladesh third gold

1Bangladesh swimmer Mahfuza Khatun Shila continued her superb run of form in the 12th South Asian Games as she clinched her second gold medal in the event’s fourth day yesterday.
Following her first gold in the women’s 100m breaststroke category last Sunday, Mahfuza offered another inspiring performance by sealing first spot in the 50m breaststroke category. She took 34.88s to touch the finishing line in Guwahati, India yesterday.
Bangladesh failed to win a single gold from the swimming discipline in the last edition of the Games six years ago in Dhaka but this time, it has already bagged two. The Bangladesh swimming contingent also claimed two more medals from swimming yesterday when Shahjahan Ali finished third in the men’s 50m breaststroke while Jewel Ahmed attained bronze in the 400m individual medley.
Overall, Bangladesh have won three gold medals in the ongoing Games, considered south Asia’s Olympics, after Mabia Akhter Simanta earned the nation its first gold in the women’s 63kg weightlifting category at Bhogeshwari Phukanani Indoor Stadium last Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh wrestling team has wrapped up their SA Games campaign with a total of 10 medals – three silver and seven bronze.
Amateur Wrestling Federation general secretary Tabiur Rahman duly expressed elation with the display of the Bangladesh wrestlers who fought tooth and nail against their Indian, Pakistani and Afghan counterparts.
“We fought against the wrestlers from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and won 10 medals. The 16 members of the team won 10 medals and we, the federation, is very happy overall for this outcome,” he said yesterday.
Firoza Parvin, who won bronze in the 75kg category, on the other hand, said, “I expected to do something better but it feels really good that I contributed a medal to my country. I am glad I am not returning home empty-handed.”
In the meantime, the Bangladesh women’s football team is preparing for its third and final group-stage against Maldives today while the men’s football side will take on Bhutan in their opening game on the same day.