Four Bangladeshi swimmers who won four medals at the World Long Distance Swimming Competition 2026 in Murshidabad, India, were formally received at a ceremony on Thursday.
The medalists were greeted with flowers and honoured at the event. Bangladesh Navy swimmer Samiul Islam Rafiq, who won a gold medal in a separate competition in Thailand, was also recognised.
The World Long Distance Swimming Competition took place in Murshidabad on September 6, with swimmers from several countries participating. Bangladesh sent a nine‑member team, with six competing in the 19‑kilometre categories and three in the 81‑kilometre event.
Bangladesh secured four medals — one gold, two silver and one bronze.
In the 19‑kilometre men’s event, featuring 36 competitors, Faysal Ahmed of the Bangladesh Army won gold after leading strongly from the start. In the 19‑kilometre women’s event, which had 15 participants, Sonia Akhtar of the Bangladesh Navy claimed silver.
Bangladesh’s most notable success came in the gruelling 81‑kilometre men’s event, contested by 28 swimmers. Palash Chowdhury won silver, while Nurul Islam of the Bangladesh Army took bronze.
Sports officials described the two medals in the 81‑kilometre race as a milestone for long‑distance swimming in Bangladesh.
At the reception, officials and coaches praised the athletes for their international achievements and expressed confidence that Bangladesh would secure even greater success in future competitions.
