Recognition often comes after years of hard work, discipline and perseverance. For Masinu Marma, a Bangladeshi judo and wrestling athlete, her journey has been shaped by these qualities. Recently, she received the International Award for Peace and Humanity, adding another achievement to her growing list of accomplishments and bringing attention to her contributions beyond the sporting arena.
Marma has established herself as a successful athlete through years of participation in national and international competitions. Competing in two demanding disciplines, judo and wrestling, she has consistently demonstrated her determination to excel while representing Bangladesh.
Her achievements in judo include gold medals at several national competitions. She won gold at the 35th National Judo Competition in 2018 and later secured another gold at the 40th National Judo Competition in 2025. She also represented Bangladesh at the 8th South Asian Judo Championship in Nepal in 2018, where she finished fifth in the individual event.
Her wrestling career has been equally impressive. She secured gold at the 38th National Wrestling Competition in 2019 and continued her success in subsequent tournaments. In 2023, she won gold at the 35th and 9th Women’s National Wrestling Competition. She followed this with another gold at the 36th National Women’s Wrestling Competition in 2024. In 2026, she added to her achievements by winning gold at the 14th Services Wrestling Competition.
However, Marma’s contribution is not limited to sports. She has been serving in the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party since April 2015. Her professional responsibilities include security duties, assisting law enforcement agencies, election security and community development. Managing these responsibilities alongside a competitive sporting career reflects her commitment to both her profession and passion.
She has also taken steps towards helping the next generation of athletes. Marma completed the Mujibborsho Judo Coaches’ Course in 2022 and a coaching certificate course at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan (BKSP) in 2023. She also earned Grade A in a judo coaching certificate course from the Bangladesh Institute of Sports, strengthening her qualifications as a coach.
Her dedication to public service was recognised in February 2025 when she received the President’s Ansar (Service) Medal. The honour acknowledged her contribution and commitment to her duties.
The International Award for Peace and Humanity adds another dimension to her journey. While her sporting achievements demonstrate her competitive spirit, her professional service and coaching qualifications reflect her wider contribution to society.
Marma’s story is an example of how determination can open doors across different fields. Through sports, public service and her commitment to developing future athletes, she continues to build a career that goes beyond individual achievements. Her journey offers encouragement to young women who aspire to challenge limitations and establish themselves through hard work and dedication.
