Bangladeshi triathlete Arafat heads to IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship

Ironman 70.3, a prestigious competition organised by World Triathlon Corporation, will be held on September 17, 2021, in St. George, Utah, USA. For the first time at the World Championship, triathlete Mohammad Shamsuzzaman Arafat will be representing Bangladesh.

From Teknaf to Tetulia, Arafat is the only runner to cover 1004 km. He has been practicing hard for almost seven years in order to participate in this Ironman Championship. Meanwhile, he has successfully taken part in Ironman Malaysia '17, Ironman European Championship '19, Ironman Malaysia '19, Ironman 70.3 in Bangsaen andThailand Events. He achieved Best Personal Timing across all these events. Arafat's dream is to represent Bangladesh in the toughest one-day race events in the world.

At the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, each competitor has to first swim 1.9 km, then immediately cycle 90km, and lastly, run a half marathon (21.1km). All of these sporting events need to be finished within 8.5 hours.

Besides participating in various marathons in the country and abroad, Arafat swam seven times across the Bangla Channel (Teknaf to St. Martin, 16 km). Ironman 70.3 World Championship is based on the performance of athletes participating in the Ironman events held throughout the year. Arafat is the first Bangladeshi to be selected as the finalist in this Championship. On September 1, 2021

Arafat is leaving Bangladesh to participate in the 70.3 World Championships today.  On this occasion, Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) Chairman Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad handed over the flag of Bangladesh to Arafat. The Deputy Managing Director of PKSF Mr. Md. Fazlul Kader was present during this time.

Arafat's goal is to complete this challenge in 5.30 hours. In his expedition, the Meghna Group of Industries, Akash DTH, DHS Motors and Bangladesh Finance Limited are providing him with financial support.