In October 2024, Mariya stood at the starting line of the Ironman 70.3 Malaysia, her heart pounding with anticipation. The 1.2-mile ocean swim, the 56-mile bike ride, and the 13.1-mile run ahead were daunting, but Mariya was ready. Her journey is not only remarkable for her personal achievement but also for how she has defied societal expectations and broken through barriers, particularly as a young woman coming from a conservative family.

The primary barriers girls face in regards to sports come from the families themselves.

The alleged sexual assault of an under-age female weightlifter sent shockwaves through the country's sports fraternity yesterday. Bengali daily Kaler Kantho revealed that a 17-year-old weightlifter was admitted to a mental hospital on October 23 because of mental trauma suffered in the aftermath of the alleged assault.