Elusive gold leaves Imranur ‘shocked’

It took a while for Imranur Rahman to come to terms with reality after the England-born Bangladeshi sprinter reached the touchline during the men's 60-metre event in Asian Indoor Athletics Championship in Kazakhstan on Saturday night.

Imranur, after having clocked 6.59 seconds to leave behind seven superior counterparts from Hong Kong, Japan, Qatar, Oman, China and Pakistan, had first burst into celebration, leaping up into the air, before placing his hands on his forehead in utter disbelief.

"Yes, it was a bit shocking. I didn't expect it. I wasn't the favourite coming into the event," Imranur told The Daily Star over the phone from Kazakhstan yesterday.

Imran initially stood first in the Heat round before becoming joint-second in the semifinals, based on a photo-finish. Afterwards, the lad from Sheffield became the first Bangladeshi sprinter to win the elusive gold medal at the Asian level.

"It's an amazing feeling [to deliver the first gold medal for Bangladesh]. I didn't expect the gold though. Thanking almighty Allah for such an achievement," said Imranur, who has been managing two jobs in England to run his family alongside bearing his training's expenditure.

"I manage the best way I can. But at times it is tough, but I am trying my best," said the fastest man of Bangladesh, adding that he can only hope for the financial support to help him continue his training.

"I don't want to talk much about the financial support but there is a possibility. A full-time training is required though, if I want to perform better. The BOA and federation are trying to support me in the near future."

After bursting into the scene by cracking a national record in the National Athletics Championships in early 2022, the 29-year-old sprinter had been representing Bangladesh regularly at prestigious international competitions -- such as the Commonwealth Games, Islamic Solidarity Games, World Indoor Championships and Asian Indoor Championships.

However, other than producing his career-best timing in 100m event, he could not shine as per expectation.

Imranur initially tried to pursue his career as a footballer but he switched to athletics at around the age of 16. Since then, he has been trying to improve him by taking part in both indoor and outdoor events.

Replying to a query, Imranur said, "There is less room for error at indoor [events]. Mistakes can be costly. There is more emphasis on acceleration."

With Bangladesh sprinters having long struggled to win a gold medal in the regional multi-sports extravaganza since the last gold came in Madras South Asian Games in 1995 through the hurdle event, Imranur is looking forward to repeating his indoor feat in the upcoming South Asian Games.

"I want to replicate the Asian Indoor Championship feat in the South Asian Games,' said Imranur, adding that he needs some advanced training to be sharper on the track.