Hasan dethrones Mezbah

Young Hasan Mia ended the long-standing reign of Mezbah Ahmed and became the new fastest man of the country, winning the 100m sprint on the opening day of the City FC 14th National Summer Athletics Championship at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

The Class-IX student of BKSP, who was participating for the first time in the senior national meet, clocked 10.80 seconds to condemn Mezbah (10.90 sec), the seven-time national champion, to second position.

Bangladesh Navy's M Abdur Rouf, who lost against Mezbah in a photo-finish in the last national athletics championship in December last year, settled for the bronze medal with a time of 11.00 seconds. Mezbah had won the gold with a timing of 10.783 seconds [electronic timing] in that event, but yesterday's sprint events were held with hand timing after there were some technical glitches with the electronic timer in the afternoon session.

“I did not think that I would beat Mezbah bhai. I just wanted to give my best shot,” said the youngster, who hails from Comilla, while visibly overwhelmed with what he had just achieved.

“When I did well in the Youth Games [earlier this year], my coach told me that I should give my best [at the national meet]. However, after doing well in the heats in the morning, I got confident. I thought I would win a medal, but I didn't even dream that I would beat Mezbah bhai to the gold,” added the new fastest man.

Having upstaged the best in the country with his first try, Hasan is now looking for bigger things on bigger platforms. He has his eyes set on next year's South Asian Games.

“I'm only studying in school. So this is just my beginning. I want to go ahead and do well in the SA games, SAF Athletics Championship and Asian Games,” said Hasan.

While Mezbah failed to extend his record, teammate Shirin Akter made sure there were no upsets in women's 100m sprint as she took the gold -- her seventh consecutively at the national level -- with a time of 12.20 seconds, beating teammate Shohagi Akter by 0.10 seconds. Sharifa Khatun of the same team won the bronze medal after finishing a further 0.10 seconds slower.

Her seventh gold medal put Shirin alongside Parvin Sultana Lovely in the record books. Shirin improved her timing by 0.097 seconds, beating Shohagi in consecutive national meets.

“I did not feel any pressure after watching Mezbah lose his crown. I'm feeling great after joining Lovely apa in the record books,” said the Navy swimmer.

“I clocked 11.99 seconds in the last SA Games. I will definitely try to improve my timing in the upcoming SA Games and then hang up my boots by winning a medal in that event next year,” said Shirin.

At the end of the first day of the two-day meet, Bangladesh Army led the medals tally with five gold, four silver and nine bronze medals , followed by Bangladesh Navy, who won four gold, seven silver and three bronze medals.